DIVAGAL MUSIC: Mos Def Drops A Beat in Brooklyn!

By Krystal Clear Whyms | June 30, 2011 | Entertainment

Our newest contributor, Krystal “Clear” Whyms, breaks down Mos Def’s electric performance at the Fort Greene Festival in Brooklyn, N.Y., beat by beat!

This past Saturday, Brooklyn was hot! And not just because of the numerous Jamaicans flooding Flatbush. Fort Greene was the place to be for the Annual Fort Greene Festival, where you could find good food, great urban fashion and banging new talented musicians such as Res, Lifted Crew and singer Reese. Rapper turned actor, Mos Def, was the event’s headliner. Music journalist Toure and actress Rosie Perez hosted, keeping the crowd at bay from noon until about 7 p.m., when Mos finally touched down on stage.

IΓÇÖll admit, IΓÇÖm a fan of MosΓÇÖ acting and IΓÇÖd never seen him perform live, so I didnΓÇÖt know what to expect. But when Mos came out to Jay ZΓÇÖs ΓÇ£Brooklyn We Go Hard,ΓÇ¥ the entire park erupted! That got everybody hyped. He performed a few of his classics (though no ΓÇ£Ms. Fat Booty,ΓÇ¥ sorry!), and even took time out to perform a few of the King of PopΓÇÖs hits, acknowledging the two year anniversary of Michael JacksonΓÇÖs death (RIP MJ). He went as far as to rock MJ-style penny loafers as well as bust out a pretty good moonwalk!

Mos didnΓÇÖt perform long; his set was about an hour. He finished by giving the crowd samples of two new tracks heΓÇÖs working on. Though it wasnΓÇÖt a full-out concert, I felt that Mos Def gave the crowd 100 percent of himself.

By the end of the set, Mos was covered in sweat and ran through three hand towels! Even though there were several hundred people in attendance, the show still seemed intimate and engaging. I personally felt like I was able to connect to his spirit and words. Well, me standing ten feet away from him probably helped me feel that connection.

At the end of it all, Mama Def — Mos DefΓÇÖs mother — gave out flowers and potted plants to the fans. Overall, the festival was a success and came to an end without any negativity. I look forward to next yearΓÇÖs performers. IΓÇÖll be keeping Mama DefΓÇÖs plant well watered until then.