Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star

Despite a commitment to positivity, this East Coast rap duo is more dynamic than didactic. It makes its ties to hip-hop's roots clear by reinterpreting old-school classics by Boogie Down Productions and Slick Rick; its new-school energy, however, is anything but retro. Mixing rugged street beats and rhymes brainy enough for boho B-boys (they cite literary references and quote Nina Simone) makes this Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star shine bright. A-