Albums to watch

The Ecstatic

Mos Def

The Ecstatic

Fourth solo album from the American hip hop MC and actor Dante Terrell Smith

ADM rating[?]

7.7

Label
Downtown
UK Release date
09/06/2009
  1. 8.0 |   Pitchfork

    This is Mos Def's small-globe statement, an album that comfortably jumps stylistically across continents on a hip-hop goodwill-ambassador tour, prefaced by a statement from Malcolm X during his 1964 appearance at Oxford
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  2. 8.0 |   Clash

    An innovative, eclectic return to form that just might displace Q-Tip’s ‘The Renaissance’ as hip-hop album of the year, ‘The Ecstatic’ is a spectacular return to form for Mos Def, and a belated worthy successor to his phenomenal ‘Black On Both Sides’ debut of a decade ago
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  3. 8.0 |   Observer Music Monthly

    Offers a thrillingly accessible demonstration of hip-hop's limitless creative possibilities to those whose experience of the medium stretches no farther than the occasional random episode of Run's House
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  4. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    We probably haven’t heard Mos this fired up since 1999’s Black on Both Sides – the rapper is obviously engaged with his material
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  5. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  6. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Q

    Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    The feeling that Mos has not really moved on since his heyday is palpable. Such is the prevailing quality of the production, however … that it doesn't really seem to matter.
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  9. 8.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Conscious rap that's not condescending. Is that a new genre in itself?
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  10. 8.0 |   The Sunday Times

    A sensational return to form.
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  11. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    A refined selection of strong tracks, which skilfully tread the balance between tight beats and forthright exclamations
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  12. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    A musical comeback of any quality is unexpected, let alone one of such varied thrills.
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  13. 7.0 |   The Quietus

    The Ecstatic will not trouble the mainstream; indeed, it seems certain to keep Mos Def locked in glorious aloofness. Well, he is lucky. His alternative career should keep his star afloat. I just hope he goes on; I hope he remains hip hop's great existentialist
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  14. 7.0 |   NME

    Simply good, honest hardcore hip-hop given a twist by MD’s slurred, inebriated delivery and use of odd imagery.
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  15. 6.0 |   The List

    Lyrically, he has his fiery moments, but throws out as many empty, uneven brickbats as he does lyrical livewires.
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Mos Def: The Ecstatic

  • Download full album for just £7.99
  • 1. Supermagic £0.99
  • 2. Twilight Speedball £0.99
  • 3. Auditorium £0.99
  • 4. Wahid £0.99
  • 5. Priority £0.99
  • 6. Quiet Dog £0.99
  • 7. Life In Marvelous Times £0.99
  • 8. The Embassy £0.99
  • 9. No Hay Nada Mas £0.99
  • 10. Pistola £0.99
  • 11. Pretty Dancer £0.99
  • 12. Workers Comp £0.99
  • 13. Revelations £0.99
  • 14. Roses £0.99
  • 15. History £0.99
  • 16. Casa Bey £0.99
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