Definition (song)

1998 single by Black Star

"Definition"

Single by Black Star
from the album  Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Released| August 26, 1998
Recorded| 1997–1998
Funky Slice Studios; Brooklyn, NY
Genre| Conscious hip hop
Length| 3:26
Label| Rawkus Records
Songwriter(s)| Dante Smith
Talib Kweli Greene
Tony Cottrell
Producer(s)| Hi-Tek
Black Star singles chronology
|  | "Definition"
(1998)  | "Respiration"
(1999)

|
|

"Definition" is the first single from Black Star's eponymously titled 1998 album (see 1998 in music). It is produced by Hi-Tek, who samples "The P Is Free" by Boogie Down Productions for the track's beat. In addition, the song's chorus interpolates "Stop the Violence" by Boogie Down Productions. The chorus and the song's lyrics in general deal with the necessity to stop violence in hip hop. An underground hit, the song still reached #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is featured on multiples compilations such as Best of Decade I: 1995–2005, Rawkus Records' greatest hits album. AllMusic writer Jason Kaufman considers it to be a "flawless" track.[1]

A reprise of "Definition" titled "RE: DEFinition" can be found on the Black Star album.

It also appears on MTV Classic's 90's Nation and Yo! Hip Hop Mix.

## Track list

[edit]

### A-side

[edit]

1. "Definition" (Radio Version)
2. "Definition" (What We Really Said)
3. "Definition" (Instrumental to Your Development)

### B-side

[edit]

1. "Twice Inna Lifetime" (Radiohead Version)
2. "Twice Inna Lifetime" (Streethead Version)
3. "Twice Inna Lifetime" (Instrumentally Yours)

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (1998)  | Peak
position

|

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 60
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 31
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles | 3

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Kaufman, Jason. "Black Star Review at Allmusic". Retrieved June 14, 2007.

## See also

[edit]

* List of Talib Kweli songs

* v
* t
* e

Mos Def

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Filmography

Studio albums|

* Black on Both Sides
* The New Danger
* True Magic
* The Ecstatic
* Negus

Singles|

* "Definition"
* "Respiration"
* "Ms. Fat Booty"
* "Mathematics"
* "Oh No"
* "Bin Laden"

Featured singles|

* "Stylo"
* "Just Begun"
* "Pride n Joy"

Other songs|

* "Two Words"
* "Kids See Ghosts"

Films|

* The Hard Way
* Ghosts
* Where's Marlowe?
* Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
* Bamboozled
* Island of the Dead
* Carmen: A Hip Hopera
* Monster's Ball
* Showtime
* Civil Brand
* Brown Sugar
* The Italian Job
* The Woodsman
* Something the Lord Made
* Lackawanna Blues
* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
* Dave Chappelle's Block Party
* 16 Blocks
* Journey to the End of the Night
* Prince Among Slaves
* Be Kind Rewind
* Cadillac Records
* Next Day Air
* I'm Still Here
* Begin Again
* Life of Crime

Related articles|

* Black Star
* Blakroc
* DD172
* Dec 99th
* Def Poetry
* GOOD Music
* Hip Hop for Respect
* Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
* Native Tongues
* Nkiru Center for Education and Culture
* Rawkus Records
* Soulquarians

* v
* t
* e

Talib Kweli

* Discography
* Songs

Studio albums|

* Quality
* The Beautiful Struggle
* Eardrum
* Gutter Rainbows
* Prisoner of Conscious
* Gravitas
* Radio Silence

Mixtapes|

* Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD

Collaboration albums|

* Black Star
* Train of Thought
* Liberation
* Revolutions per Minute
* Habits of the Heart
* The Seven
* No Fear of Time

Singles|

* "Definition"
* "Respiration"
* "The Blast"
* "Get By"
* "Listen!!!"
* "Hot Thing"
* "Just Begun"

Featured singles|

* "One-Nine-Nine-Nine"

Other songs|

* "Finally Free"
* "Hostile Gospel"

Related articles|

* Black Star
* Reflection Eternal
* Idle Warship
* Hip Hop for Respect
* Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star

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