people:
Mos Def
(b. 1973) Beginning in the late 90s, socially-conscious rapper Mos Def — more recently known as Yasiin Bey — established a reputation as one of Hip Hop's most forward-thinking artists, while building a parallel acting career that's demonstrated the same thoughtfulness and versatility that are hallmarks of his music. Born Dante Terrell Smith in Brooklyn, Mos Def began rapping at age nine and began acting professionally at 14. He formed Urban Thermo Dynamics with his brother and sister, and later made guest appearances on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. But his musical career didn't really take off...