Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) On South Africa Travel Issues, US Leadership + Returning To Music/Acting 

if Mos had a podcast where he conversed with his listeners about domestic and global issues , music , etc....would you listen to it ?

Protect Mos Def at all costs

BTW did anyone notice how quiet everyone was cause this man was speaking the truth

Crazy how my dude can step away for 10 years come back and still have a huge fan base... Shows you how powerful this mans art is

Love how quiet they get when a legend is talking. Shoutout to Mos Def ✊🏿

This man said he's 44 years old!!!!!.... Mos Def been looking like this for decades. Dude doesn't age.

I caught Mos use that MF Doom insert. " Put on a shirt. This isn't Chippendales Tryouts." He stays reppin Doom!

"Don't talk about traveling. GO." Totally influenced me to just go travel whenever where ever in my little Volkswagen

I feel like I'm the only South African who never got to meet him while he was here and it's been almost a life long dream. He's the reason why I love rap so much. Conscious rap.

I JUST SCREAMED. Nigga, Yasiin don't be doing intervews, and y'all got an hour out of him! Thank you Hot 97!!!!!!!!!! I love you niggas for this!

I love these comments. I love to see so many of MY people awoke!! Much love to all of y'all!!!

" shine your light so the world can seeeee" straight wisdom

"Shine your light for the 🌍 to see"

Watched this with my 9 year old and he was thoroughly impressed and excited about the information Mos Def was discussing. Then i let him hear mathematics...he was blown away! ✊✊✊

Mos Def is a certified legend much love

Mos Def always dropping those gems, deep!!!!!

I'm still listening to Black on both sides in 2017...I need another Black Star album like i need another Outkast album for the love of Hip Hop, but i won't hold my breath.

Mos Def doesn't get his credit he deserves in this rap game & his acting on the Chappelle Show was funny as fuck..

"Memories don't live like people do, they always remember you"

I just want to cry im so happy... the amount of wisdom from this man. Hes a gift to all of us. Just listen

Jaw dropped when I saw this title. . .

I still listen to his music ☺

I'm a travellin' man

I'm from Cape town I bumped into him at the waterfront it was so amazing to meet one of the great rappers and I love his movies too. He was so humble and very nice. I just wanted to keep talking to him but i respected his family and moved on. I really must say it was an honour. I am happy you made it home. I was also in New York #shout out to Brooklyn 💗💗💗💗💗

Best interview this year.

This interview is important.

"Aye Sharice...You can do better." Like...he called America...Sharice. Love this dude. This interview was great. So much perspective. So much knowledge...and many bombs were dropped.

"love the culture but what it looks like is that the technical process around it.has surrounded it so that the only people who really benefit off of the culture are the algorithms.” ~Mos Def Deepest shit I've heard so far about the state Hip Hop.. Please Overstand this!!

We need you Mos! Not just musically, we need his insight. The game has definitely been missing his presence.

I love hearing him talk..

I LOVE Yasiin Bey. None other like him. The class, talent, intelligence, sensitivity and wisdom is simply unmatched in Hip Hop and beyond. Keep it up Bro!

Great rapper. hell of an actor. fantastic poet.

Truly one of THE best artists ever. He changed the landscape, and was really the first rapper to transcend just rap. He acted, he did poetry, and etc. However, he faced personal, label, and political issues that sort of delayed his career (most of it self-inflicted of course). It was good to hear from him in this interview, and you can still see he hasn't quite found the best way to navigate that. But that's because he's principled. I selfishly wish he could have continued to make music, because I believe he really would have been remembered as the best...but he has his own stuff on his plate.

a lot of ppl sleep on this man.

I cannot believe it took me so long to watch this and I am not even half way through the interview. I have had questions regarding my situation and I believe God set this in place for me to watch at this time. I will be watching multiple times.

that comment about what u read in the news papers and what is on the ground is totally different things.... LOVE THAT. Love Mos Def....... thank u for saying nice things about South Africa even after the whole experience.

This is epic . Appreciate y'all giving us this interview ! Mos is a legend!

It's The Mighty Mos Def

Mos def don’t age 💪🏽 we must protect mos def at all cost

I cant wait to go to Africa❤❤❤

When your'e quarter way through the vid and still can't believe theres a new yasiin bey interview out I love this man 😭😭

Yasiin your music is much needed today brother.

I love this dude’s mind so much; his heart is pure his truth is magic. Yasin - i’ll keep my eyes open and my mind thinking - my only hope is you keep presenting the issues we need to see and consider. Peace

Mos Def For President!

Thank God this man is free. Ppl acted like they didn't even know who Mos Def was. Everyone forgot. I remember Kanye showed him love when he was locked up. Good to see a legend feeling good and back in the states.

Mos def better not get a single dislike. This is a true Mc and Legend.

Man...this was a great interview. Mos Def dropped alot of science. I wish all of our artistes were this well rounded.

I don't watch this channel often but, THE BEST INTERVIEW THEY'VE DONE THIS YEAR!!

Mos man - he need to start a youtube channel and teach about behaviors - he is very knowledgeable.

1 HOUR IS NOT LONG ENOUGH!!!! OMG 😩

This dude just schooled everybody and didn't plug a damn thing. 👏👏👏

The one and only Mos Def! love him and his free spirit.

Mos Def is hip hop.....

I absolutely love him and his way of thinking.

Yasmin Bey/Mos Def…we miss you, you need a podcast etc. we need you!

Came back 4+ years later, this interview is more relevant than before

16 Blocks is one of my favorite movies

i like how he spoke about how this generation is today, we always try to blame someone or something instead of changing our own negative behavior thats toxic to the environment. well said.

I could listen to him talk all day.. his intellect is so worldly open and his mind is so powerful.. Best interview 🖤🖤🖤

57:13 "Leadership is about getting people to join with you... where people really benefit."

If Hot 97 can produce more interviews like this I might just get back on board with them 👏🏾👏🏾

Too bad him and Talib never released a Black Star sequel album.

Always good to hear and see positive vibes coming from Yasiin Bey. I appreciate how he keeps reiterating beings world conscience and educating one's self outside of the mainstream media hype. I pray The Eternal keep him and positive activists/artists out here who are making a difference for the better. Side note loved "We're going to get it popping in a few, but first we have to take care of some human issues. We appreciate your energy and idea." Had me ROTFL

Definitely a must watch, best interview I've seen in a long time where the guest can actually speak their mind in complete thoughts/sentences without being interrupted, Amazing!!! Needs to happen more often. Admire you Yasiin Bey... every second is thought provoking and concise, thank you!

The original pretty flocko

I need to eat whatever mos def eating, dude gained like 2 wrinkles in 20 years. Damn near still looks the same.

One of the most talented brothers on Earth

Wow Fire Interview!! Dope dude. Brooklyn dudes get busy. Probably one of the best interviews that I've witnessed on so many levels.

"The queen of England is not out here like....loose".LOL!!!

"you go to the pirate's house, of course It's laid out. he got everything he stole from everybody else In there."

BLESSINGS right here. I'm so elated to see this being on my screen 😪

He is Mos DEFinetly the best!

Saw Mos def downtown brooklyn almost a decade ago , he was clean as shit ,in personal homeboy face is tough as nails (tough as in fierce) ppl shouted him out he saluted in response ,Good dude

Legend

man. yes. this really energized me to hear him speak and open his mind up. this dude is willing to speak his mind and thats what helps everybody!!! thanks so much for this interview yaasin bey!!!!!!!!!!

One of the best interviews ever. Almost ran out of baskets tryna collect all the gems Def was dropping

Interview of the year right here. So many jewels dropped

Glad To See Big Homie Back !!!

This was such an amazing interview! it was filled with so much substance. Thank you Mos Def! ✊❤

This was an EXCELLENT EXCELLENT interview!

One of my favorite rappers, he's to me what 2pac is to everyone else. I wish he would do an album with No ID, or Flying Lotus.

Black on Both Sides and The Ecstatic are two of my favorite albums! Cant wait to see him rip the stage on Sep 9th😆

Beyond his contributions to hip hop, Yasiin Bey is a truly inspiring HUMAN. Look beyond the symbol...you can truly learn something from this man's wisdom. Bless up!

Gave ma guy J.I.D. a SUPER STAMP @ 41:00! Much respect Mos! J.I.D. got talent, he on his way!

Who else liked this video before they clicked play?

Yo Mos Def could wrap this interview up and make this his next album and I'll buy it

I am an African. South African to be precise. I love his recognition of Africa n what came from Africa which is mostly overlooked 👌🏽🙆🏽‍♀️

Speak the real truth Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)! Dope interview.

Yessin got so much wisdom in his conversation, Black light shine bright

He's so right about being of African descent and going to Africa for the first time. It just feels different. I felt something soon as I stepped off the plane. Indescribable. Beautiful.

Love brother Yasiin.. such a thoughtful dude. I can listen to him talk for hours..

Perfect definition of an American who’s been to Africa! Informative take!

dudes a living legend.

We are going to study Yasin Bey, like the previous generation did Dick Gregory.

Best interview......I've seen, in some time......MEMORABLE MOMENT IN TIME.....44year old, MIGHTY MOS DEF INTERVIEW ON HOT97.......👑📿✊✌📿👑!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is legit the best interview ON ANY PLATFORM in years,no word of an exaggeration there. very conceptual and thought awakening, without forcing you to see his POV. definitely knows what he is talking about. you can see how knowledge truly fulfils your essence. big ups Mos

man this is a legend.

Jewels on jewels on jewels on jewels on jewels. This interview is important. Most important interview I've seen recently. No disrespect to Elliot Wilson and Jay, but this is more important.

Such wisdom. This man is of such value. God bless my bro. I appreciate what you're doing.

This was a dope interview. Good to see and hear him again.