Especially nowadays in the age of easily-accessible bootlegs, there are few artists that I will rush out to cop when they drop albums…Erykah Badu, OutKast, Metric, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and most definitely Mos Def.  Unlike many other critics, I absolutely love every album he’s dropped, with The New Danger being my favorite and Tru3 Magic coming nose to nose with Black on Both Sides (I know I’m pissing off hella backpackers right now!).  

With that said, The Ecstatic could very well be on its way to being my favorite Mos Def album yet.  It’s the Mos that the Black Star fans have been waiting to return, and at the same time it’s the furthest from it.  For the first time since his ’01 debut album, he spits on almost every track, providing ample verses with the intricate rhyme schemes and vivid imagery that was his signature on past tracks like “Respiration” and “Mathematics.” A great example of this is “Life in Marvelous Times,” which leaked as a snippet a few months back.  His depiction of Brooklyn in 1982 is some pretty damned good writing.  Remember that concept…good writing in hip-hop?  Digit:

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At the same time, he’s not taping over the history of his past two albums.  I appreciate that with each effort he pushes his singing voice further, and in return challenges the listener to listen to some newnew.  ”Roses” is a conflicted but still beautiful track featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow, known for her recent role on E.Badu’s “Master Teacher.” Together they create a duet that summons the nostalgia of an old school classic while also sounding unlike anything else:

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The homie Jon Reyes hit me with an advance a few days ago and its effects have rippled through the whole crew.  As soon as Nico heard one of the tracks, he proclaimed that he’s been waiting for a new rap album to inspire him.  Dahlak borrowed my car later that day, and after hearing the Malcolm X intro, he walked back into the studio and wrote a new poem in a 15 minute sitting.  Mos is one of the few artists who I feel uses his access for the benefit of the people.  From from getting arrested at the MTV Music Awards for his guerilla-style “Katrina Clap” perfromance,

to calling out all his peers on MTV News for not getting involved with Jena 6,

to verbal sparring with Bill Maher and Cornell West,

I appreciate Mos for staying in the conversation, and encouraging dialogue.  The Ecstatic hits stores tomorrow.  And it’s only $3.99 at the Amazon MP3 store…thanks @thirstythong!  GET IT.