Yasiin Bey formerly known by his first stage name, Mos Def, is a respected American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York he has gained considerable popularity and wealth in his career.
It is worth mentioning that he began his journey as an actor at a young age. Appearing in various television films, sitcoms, and theater productions.
Throughout the early 2000s and beyond, Bey has made appearances in notable films such as Something the Lord Made, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and Be Kind Rewind.
Apart from his artistic pursuits Bey has also been an outspoken advocate for social and political causes. He has actively addressed issues such as police brutality, American exceptionalism, and the status of African Americans. As of 2023, Mos has a net worth approximately $1.5 Million.
Mos Def Wiki/Bio
Dante Terrell Smith, born on December 11 1973 in Brooklyn, New York City discovered his passion for acting while attending Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Unfortunately, he made the decision to leave high school during his sophomore year due to a relationship with an older girl.
Having grown up in New York City, he has witnessed numerous instances of gang violence, theft, and poverty in society. However. Bey managed to avoid these circumstances by immersing himself in plays and On & Off Broadway arts programs.
One particularly traumatic childhood experience involved witnessing his five year old brother Ilias Bey (formerly known as Denard Smith) being hit by a car. Bey referred to him as “my first partner in hip hop” under the alias DCQ
Family & Relationships
Mos’ parents are Sheron Smith and Abdulrahman Smith. He was raised primarily by his mother in Brooklyn while his father resided in New Jersey.
Bey navigated a unique familial dynamic throughout his upbringing as the eldest among twelve siblings and step siblings. Playing an integral role in her sons career advancement, his mother Sheron “Umi” Smith helped manage his earnings.
His mother is highly regarded not only as a motivational speaker but also as an author of the book Shine Your Light: A Life Skills Workbook where she eloquently narrates her experiences raising him as a single mother.
His father was initially affiliated with the Nation of Islam before gravitating towards mainstream Sunni Islam under Imam Warith Deen Mohammed. Mos Def did not become exposed to Islam until reaching thirteen years old. He became close with other Muslim artists like Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Q Tip in 1996.
In 1996, Bey married Maria Yepes. However, their union was met with struggles as they officially filed for divorce in 2006. The dissolution of their marriage further escalated as legal disputes arose due to Mos’ failure to provide child support which amounted to $10,000 monthly for the couples’ two daughters.
Today, he has four additional children from other relationships.
Physical Appearance
While specific details about his weight may not be readily available, he has been seen with a slim and athletic build. In terms of height, he is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Yasiin Bey has been seen sporting a range of looks over the years. He has been known to wear his hair in a variety of styles, including short, closely cropped cuts, and longer, natural hairstyles.
Mos often sports a stylish and eclectic wardrobe, incorporating elements of streetwear and vintage fashion.
Bey is often praised for his charismatic and engaging stage presence. He has a strong and commanding voice that resonates with his audience, as well as a unique ability to captivate listeners with his thoughtful and introspective lyrics.
Music & Acting Career
His career hit off in 1994 when he created the group UTD (Urban Thermo Dynamics) alongside his younger brother and a close friend. In 1996, he ventured on a solo path and collaborated with artists like De La Soul and Da Bush Babees prior to releasing his firstsingle. “Universal Magnetic,” in 1997.
Mos Def inked a deal with Rawkus Records and established the influential rap duo Black Star alongside Talib Kweli. Their debut album, “Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. ” hit the shelves in 1998. Containing chart topping songs such as “Respiration” and “Definition.”
Mos Def followed right up with his debut solo album, “Black on Both Sides”. One of the songs became a hit single and landed on Billboard 200 (Ms. Fat Booty).
He collaborated with artists such as Kanye West, The Roots, Gorillaz, Freddie Gibbs, Black Thought, and Apollo Heights during this period.
In addition to his music career, he also devoted himself to humanitarian efforts raising awareness and funds for the recovery of the Gulf oil spill. Mos Def legally changed his name to Yasiin Bey as a way of expressing his desire to be recognized and treated as an individual rather than a commodity.
In 2016, Yasiin Bey announced his retirement from both music and film. However, he later performed shows and contributed to projects like Gorillaz’ Humanz World Tour and Freddie Gibbs and Madlibs’ album titled “Bandana.” Furthermore, he launched a podcast called “The Midnight Miracle” alongside Dave Chappelle and Talib Kweli in 2021.
In that year, Yasiin Bey faced legal troubles as he was instructed to depart South Africa for overstaying with an expired tourist visa since May 2013. More than that, he was also accused of using an unrecognized World Passport during that same month.
It was reported that Mos Def had requested the help of Kanye West to defend him and he even made an official retirement announcement on Wests website.
The artist along with his family faced an ongoing court case following his immigration offenses. While he was permitted to depart South Africa on November 22, 2016, he was officially prohibited from returning ever again.
Net Worth Summary
Yasiin Bey has accumulated his net worth through his successful music and acting careers. As a rapper, he released albums like “Black on Both Sides” and “The Ecstatic,” which achieved praise and commercial success.
Mos Def’s earnings came from album sales, concert tours, and merchandise. In addition to music, Yasiin Bey has appeared in a lot of films and other acting roles to which contributed to his financial success.
Through the years he has also collaborated with various artists and ventured into business endeavors, including fashion collaborations and endorsements so it explains how successful the man is today.
