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Mos Def Rocks Brooklyn
Mos Def on the mic. Photo by Jen Threat
By Jen Threat
Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, stated, "don't stop, keep on" with complete confidence as he began his set at the 5th Annual Restoration Rocks event in Brooklyn. Hundreds of hip-hop heads (fans), hipsters and youngsters united in the ultimate hip-hop concert on Saturday, October 8, 2011.
The Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra provides masterful music with Mos Def's lyrical talents. Photo by Jen Threat.
On a sunny Saturday in Brooklyn, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) performed with the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra whose instruments included violins, a drum kit, xylophone, trombone, bass and keyboard. I had a great view of the stage and the drummer was absolutely "killin' it." Yasiin and the "Brooklyn Phil" were perfectly matched; the live instrument with melodic tones and percussion added extra-emphasis to his lyrics.
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Mos Def Performs with Brooklyn Philharmonic at Restoration Rocks in Brooklyn, NY
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He performed a song written by a prisoner before the Attica riots. The song was very reminiscent of Gil Scott Heron and The Last Poets. Yasiin represented Brooklyn to the fullest and explored the limitless boundaries of this cherished American art form. Hip Hop music is so flexible that it can be performed with classical music and still move the crowd. Yasiin is one of many hip-hop artists who have performed alongside jazz, classical and rock musicians. It's amazing how much hip-hop has continued to evolve. In the words of Brooklyn's own, Biggie Smalls, "You never thought that hip-hop would take us this far."
Other artists included 17-year-old singer, Imani Hall, who belted out a powerful version of Beyonce's "Listen" from the movie, "DreamGirls." Don't be surprised if she's one of the Restoration Rocks headliners in a few years!
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Online audition winner, Imani Hall sings her heart out at Restoration Rocks event Brooklyn, NY.
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A trio, "School ov Thought", performed songs to keep heads bobbin' during this great day of music. Imani Hall and School ov Thought were winners of Restoration Rocks' first online audition.
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Another online audition winner, School ov Thought sings to audience at Restoration Rocks event in Brooklyn, NY.
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Also scheduled to take the stage was Talib Kweli and Res (Idle Warship), but they were unable to perform at the event. It didn't change the positive vibe and love that was felt by the attendees of the event. Other Restoration Rocks performers included the talents of Pharoahe Monch, Joell Ortiz, Farrah Boule Burns and more.
Not only was this a day of music, it was a day of fashion, too. There were many naturals and dreads flowing; not just by African-American women, but by White and Asian women too! Fashionable accessories were plentiful for males and females. There was an assortment of many stylish fedoras and a lot of folks who preferred the "nerdy" glasses vibe with the thick black frames. It was the perfect day for people watching and I will mos def-initely be there again in 2012!
Restoration Rocks is planned each year by Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, which has serviced the Bed-Stuy Community for over 40 years. In fact, the organization was started by Robert "Bobby" Kennedy with local community leaders.
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