Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) announced his retirement from music while being detained in South Africa for trying to leave the country without a passport, and he was finally allowed to leave last week on the condition that he never come back. That retirement is happening soon, too, as Bey has just announced a final run of shows to go out in a grand fashion.
His farewell begins with a show on Dec. 21 at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater, followed by three dates at D.C.'s Kennedy Center kicking off on New Year's Eve and running through January 2nd. Each evening's set will focus on one Bey's four solo albums— The New Danger, True Magic, The Ecstatic and Black on BothSides—and special guests are promised. The New Year's Eve show will also culminate in a post-performance party in the Kennedy Center's Grand Foyer.
“We’re so excited to collaborate with the Kennedy Center on what will be a milestone moment in not only hip-hop history but also in popular culture,” the Apollo Theater’s Executive Producer, Kamilah Forbes, said in a statement.
There's no telling who might show up at these farewell shows—past collaborators of Bey's include Busta Rhymes, Gorillaz,Kanye,Madlib, The Roots, and his Black Star partner, Talib Kweli.
Stay up on details and tickets for those final shows via The Apollo Theater and The Kennedy Center.
