The Source Behind the Poem at The End of Black Star's "Yo Yeah" Is Finally Revealed

It was recorded in the Apollo.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

On the Black Star album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, there is an interlude called "Yo Yeah" that has a collection of several phrases and poems from other people. A Reddit user has identified the poem at the end of the song as "One-Eyed Critics" by Norman Jordan. It was sampled from a recitation of the poem at the Apollo Theater, which was then placed on Black Spirits: Festival of New Black Poets in America. Apparently, it seems as though Jordan was not only uncredited, he never received royalties either.

While this investigative information might be useful to some, it still pales in comparison to the greatest hip-hop mystery revealed: the bass line of Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones pt. 2."

[via Reddit]

RELATED: Talib Kweli Talks Black Star, Rawkus Records, And Meeting 2Pac & The Notorious B.I.G.  - The Combat Jack Show Episode 2
RELATED: Talib Kweli Reveals New "Prisoner of Conscious" Release Date and Talks Black Star's Future

Latest in Music