Ten Songs from 2015 that you should be listening to: #10 Yasiin Bey’s Sensei On The Block

Last September, the underground hip-hop community lost their stuff when a new Mos Def track dropped out of the sky. The track, “Sensei on the Block”, featured the Brooklyn rapper at his finest, over a killer steel-drum beat by Ski Beatz¹. Many, me included, thought that this was a return to glory for the Mighty Mos Def – both from a lyrics and titular perspective (in late 2011, Mos decide to perform under his gov’t name – Yasiin Bey).

Unfortunately, “Sensei on The Block” wasn’t Mos Def’s comeback; the track was actually recorded in 2010/2011. Ski Beatz released it, without Yasiin’s permission. Drama ensued; with Ski Beatz formally apologizing for the mix-up on a since deleted video clip.

With news of Bey’s pending retirement, this track (along with my favorites from Black on Both Sides and Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star) will stay in heavy rotation on the iPhone.

1. Second best steel-drum beat ever, behind 50’s “P.I.M.P”.