Biography
Who is Yasiin Bey?
Early life and real name
Dante Terrell Smith was born on December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up as the oldest of 12 children and step-children in the borough. His mother raised him in Brooklyn while his father lived in New Jersey.
During his youth, he attended Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Bushwick. He later attended Talent Unlimited High School but dropped out during his sophomore year after working in Los Angeles. He witnessed significant urban challenges in New York City during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Music career beginnings
Yasiin Bey started his music path in 1994. He was a member of the rap group Urban Thermo Dynamics alongside his brother and a friend. This group eventually released the album Manifest Destiny in 2004.
In 1996, he began working as a solo artist and collaborated with groups like De La Soul and Da Bush Babees. He also formed the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli in 1996. Their 1998 album produced the popular tracks Definition and Respiration.
Solo success and name change
His debut solo album, Black on Both Sides, arrived in 1999 and reached number 25 on the Billboard 200. He later released The New Danger in 2004, which hit number 5 on the same chart. This project included the single Sex, Love & Money, which earned a Grammy nomination.
In September 2011, he announced he was legally changing his name to Yasiin Bey. He decided to move away from his previous stage name, Mos Def. He noted that the change was a way to expand beyond being treated like a product.
Acting and other projects
Beyond music, Yasiin Bey has a history as an actor in television and film. He appeared in movies such as The Italian Job, Brown Sugar, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. His television credits include roles in the series Dexter and House.
He also hosted the program Def Poetry Jam from 2002 to 2007. His creative work extended to fashion through a clothing collection with UNDRCRWN. He even designed two limited edition pairs of Converse shoes which were sold at Foot Locker.
Birthday and age
Yasiin Bey was born on December 11, 1973, which makes Yasiin 52 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Yasiin shares the date with 55 other famous people.
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