It is not often that fans of Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) have reasons to be excited. Since announcing his retirement in 2016, the legendary New York MC has made himself relatively sparse in the public eye, the biggest exception being in 2022 when he reunited with fellow Black Star member Talib Kweli to release No Fear of Time.
However, earlier this morning, Bey took to Instagram to announce his new special, "Money Christmas", one that will feature the first new solo music from the rapper in over five years.
The post itself was somewhat cryptic and featured artwork entitled "Osanta Bin Lyin". The caption let fans know that "WHATEVER YOU THINK IT IS … IT’S NOT THAT" before directing them to a link for more information.
"Money Christmas" will be live-streamed on BandCamp on December 15 at 2pm EST. The special will later be available for purchase, as will a mastered audio version. Details of what the show will entail are scant, although the Instagram post includes never-before-heard bars from the Black on Both Sides rapper.
The last widely-released solo work by Yasiin Bey was the 2009 album The Ecstatic. In 2019, Yasiin Bey premiered a new project called Negus at a listening session during Art Basel in Hong Kong. However, this music was never digitally or physically released.
On December 21, Bey is performing his MF DOOM tribute, "BEYONDOOM" in Athens, Greece. The show features unique interpretations of the late masked rapper's music. Bey previously brought this show in Paris, France this past January. You can find tickets to the Athens performance here.
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