Yasiin Bey & Robert Glasper Perform De La Soul’s Stakes Is High (Video)
Concert-going Heads know, rarely are two Yasiin Bey shows the same. The MC formerly known as mighty Mos Def can do Hip-Hop sets, singing sets, and often weave in Dancehall to his live show—and that’s when he’s not playing support to Gorillaz, doing Black Star dates, or trying his hand at stand-up comedy.
In the last six weeks (September 9, to be exact), the Brooklyn, New York musical luminary joined the Robert Glasper Experiment in Paris, France. OkayPlayer shared a newly-uploaded video that finds Yasiin and Rob doing a medley that includes his Black On Both Sides hit “Ms. Fat Booty,” a foray into Slum Village’s “Fall In Love,” before committing to another Dilla donut: De La Soul’s “Stakes Is High” single. Yasiin, who has covered MF DOOM in the past, honors Posdnous’ and Dave’s verses perfectly.
Notably, the album the song belongs to, 1996’s Stakes Is High, was a critical, early appearance for Mos Def on “Big Brother Beat.” Mos also joined Truth Enola on the song’s official Jay Dee-produced remix—which he notably did not perform in this cover version.
Should more great MCs cover each other, especially as organically and inventively as Yasiin?