Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)

Actor and MC Yasiin Bey was formerly known by the stage name Mos Def. He started his career in the hip-hop group Urban Thermo Dynamics, then appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star and became a major force in the late 1990’s underground hip-hop scene. About.com ranked him #24 on their list of Top 50 MCs of our time, and Allmusic called him one of the most promising rappers to emerge in the late ‘90s, as well as one of hip-hops brightest hopes entering the 21st century. He’s a true visionary – an MC whose devotion to hip-hop and passion for social consciousness combine with a synergy seldom witnessed in rap history. Although he was initially recognized for his musical output, since the early 2000s, Mos Def’s screen work has established him as one of only a handful of rappers who has garnered critical acclaim for his acting work. He is well known for his portrayal of Brother Sam in the American drama series Dexter.