Wagic is a term that refers to the combination of two words: "white magic." It signifies a form of magic that is used for good and positive purposes. Wagic is often associated with healing, protection, and spiritual growth. Mos Def is an American rapper, actor, and activist who gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is known for his conscious and socially aware lyrics, as well as his versatile acting skills. When we talk about "Mos def true wagic," we are likely referring to Mos Def's ability to use his art and platform for good intentions.
Well, this album (or mixtape, maybe?) does have its fair of snoozers. It opens with some very dull tracks; the only good thing about 'Undeniable' is Mos' beautiful interpretation of that 'You Can't Stop Us Now' chorus. If you took the beat and that chorus from 'Undeniable', and put it with Nas' 'You Can't Stop Us Now' verses off Untitled. shit would be dope.
'U R The One' is the first knockout, a perfect synthesis of laid-back production, Mos' awesome singing, and personal, passionate rhyming. There really seems to be a 'neo-soul' feeling to a lot of this album, like Mos was trying to craft something akin to D'Angelo's Voodoo.
Sure, it s no lovingly crafted tribute to all aspects of hip-hop like Black On Both Sides but I really don t see why any Mos Def fan would dislike True Magic. It s been rumored that this is a deal-closer, the last album Mos owes Geffen Records, the label that inherited him when Rawkus Records folded in 2002 and was rolled into Interscope Records vast empire.
When we talk about "Mos def true wagic," we are likely referring to Mos Def's ability to use his art and platform for good intentions. It could mean that Mos Def incorporates elements of wagic in his work, using his talent and influence to inspire, heal, and uplift his audience. Mos Def's music often addresses social and political issues, shedding light on systemic injustice and advocating for positive change.
Mos def true wagic
If any average rapper put this out, it would be a decent, listenable project. But since it's Mos Def it was seen as a big disappointment. No matter whose standards you're judging this off of, you can't give it too much praise. The only song I really liked and have kept listening to through the years is the closer, "Lifetime". If you want, listen to that track and skip this album.
3.08/5 PublishedThis is basically New Danger minus everything that made New Danger good. Bored Mos over boring beats, oh, and a dull Liquid Swords cover for some reason. Considering the label bs surrounding this album I doubt even Mos Def himself considers this a legit release. Pretend this part of his discography doesn't exist.
PublishedHi, I'm team_vampire, and this is my new series of reviews, "Why U Been Sleeping?" where I look at the hip-hop albums I bought years ago and just haven't listened to enough. Some are universally loved classics, some are a little underground, some are the kind of stuff nobody will ever care about, but I'm trying to re-evaluate all of them. This review is for probably the least popular album by Mos Def, the divisive True Magic. Why have I been sleeping on this? Fuck you mean? Everyone knows this is bullshit! Can't believe Mighty Mos even released this piece a shit! "Contractually obligated", my nuts. just goes to show Mos is only about makin that C.R.E.A.M.! . Actually I always liked True Magic quite a bit. I seem to recall that Mos was in 'laid back' mode on the mic, and on some tracks he got damn near horizontal. But I do remember this being a nice album with a few absolutely gorgeous tracks. Still, next to Black On Both Sides and the underrated New Danger I never really was in love with it.
When I realised I didn't remember a single song from this album, and it'd been maybe a year since I'd listened to it in full, I knew I had to handle that. Mos don't deserve that shit! Plus unlike a lot of the CDs I been sleeping on, I remember really enjoying this album - if not, y'know, actual songs on there.
Well, this album (or mixtape, maybe?) does have its fair of snoozers. It opens with some very dull tracks; the only good thing about 'Undeniable' is Mos' beautiful interpretation of that 'You Can't Stop Us Now' chorus. If you took the beat and that chorus from 'Undeniable', and put it with Nas' 'You Can't Stop Us Now' verses off Untitled. shit would be dope.
'U R The One' is the first knockout, a perfect synthesis of laid-back production, Mos' awesome singing, and personal, passionate rhyming. There really seems to be a 'neo-soul' feeling to a lot of this album, like Mos was trying to craft something akin to D'Angelo's Voodoo.
I wanna say early as possible, it's clear that those opposed to rappers getting too 'preachy' aren't gonna want to fuck with True Magic. Mos airs out a bunch of his personal grievances whether it's Dubya giving Katrina the bozack, young black men dying on the streets, and of course the ever present wack MCs. However, this isn't all bad times. It's also quite joyful at times. Of course he gets personal ('U R The One') and plays the Brooklyn ruffneck/tough MC a bit ('A Ha', sadly not an Alan Partridge collaboration). He plays at being a rabble-rousing street singer on 'There Is A Way' - a pretty song I think, but not one of my favourite 'singin' Mos' moments. We also get an early indication of the 'Mos DOOM' style ya heard on The Ecstatic, on 'Napoleon Dynamite'. I didn't fuck with that sound then though and I don't fuck with it 3 years back in the catalogue.
It's made more 'mixtapey' by a few throwaway-type tracks like 'Perfect Timing', but Mos often had stuff like that on albums - we can call it 'throwaway' but the more polite/euphemistic term 'experimental' works just as well. The 'mixtape' vibe is more present in Mos jumping on a few beats that we might've heard before. Of course he does the 'Liquid Swords' beat, which I personally think he more than did justice to. Apparently he also does a beat Juvenile used, for the song 'Dollar Day'. I can see why some (G.O.Z. I'm talmbout you) wouldn't really be down with a Juvenile track being used, after all the two MCs couldn't be more dissimilar right? Well it seems to me like Mos really made a choice to get on a beat that would embody modern New Orleans for this track, as it's very much specifically about the aftermath of Katrina and extensive criticism of the government reaction. I can kind of see the criticism though, the beat doesn't fit so well here - a little too 'club focused'. I like that juxtaposition though. Mos does his level best to make it his own with some of that testifyin' singing, IT SOUNDS SO SOULFUL DON'T YOU AGREE. And it's not a million miles from 'Sex Love And Money' on The New Danger.
Yeah. I really do like this album quite a lot. Sure, it's no lovingly crafted tribute to all aspects of hip-hop like Black On Both Sides but I really don't see why any Mos Def fan would dislike True Magic. I guess unless you only like his rapping and hate when he does "that lame singing shit" but he's been doing singing vox since Black Star so it's not a good day for you anyway. Go get yourself a bag of coughphee!
Why HAVE I been sleeping on this album?! I should bump this just as much as The New Danger.
The production doesn't help often, either. "Murder of a Teenage Life" is turgid and off-key-- death knells for a rhymer-- while "Fake Bonanza" is the sort of aimless, generic production that gives boho rappers a bad name. Some tracks here would be decent fodder for a C-level mixtape, like "Crime & Medicine", a note-for-note remake of GZA's "Liquid Swords", minus the Genius' lyrical bite and intensity. Also included is the much-maligned "Dollar Day (Surprise, Surprise)", his Hurricane Katrina missive released last year. Messily rhyming in an odd twang over Juvenile side project UTP's "Nolia Clap", Mos received a pass for the song, as his heart is clearly in the right place (at least he dissed Bono), even if his ear seemed waterlogged. But to include it on a proper album is a poor move.
His lyrics exude a sense of spirituality, encouraging listeners to reflect on their inner selves and strive for personal growth. Furthermore, Mos Def's acting career has also displayed his commitment to promoting powerful messages through his roles. He has appeared in films and TV shows that tackle important topics such as racism, social inequality, and mental health. In summary, "Mos def true wagic" is a phrase that recognizes Mos Def's ability to use his artistic talent and platform for positive and transformative purposes. It emphasizes his dedication to raising awareness, inspiring change, and promoting healing through his music and acting endeavors..
Reviews for "Mos Def's True Connection with Music: How Hip-Hop Saved His Life"
1. John - 1 star: "I was really disappointed with 'Mos def true wagic'. The plot was poorly developed and the characters were unrelatable. The story felt disjointed, and I found it hard to connect with any of the themes or messages the author was trying to convey. Overall, it was a confusing and unsatisfying reading experience."
2. Sarah - 2 stars: "I had high hopes for 'Mos def true wagic', but it fell flat for me. The writing style was not engaging, and the pacing was inconsistent. The author seemed to introduce too many subplots that didn't contribute much to the main story, making it convoluted. I struggled to stay interested till the end, which ultimately left me feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled."
3. Alex - 2 stars: "I'm a fan of fantasy novels, but 'Mos def true wagic' didn't impress me. The world-building was lackluster, and the magic system felt poorly explained and inconsistent. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their journeys. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired, leading to a forgettable reading experience."
4. Emma - 1 star: "I couldn't get into 'Mos def true wagic' no matter how hard I tried. The prose was dull, and the dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. The story lacked originality and relied heavily on clichés and predictable plot twists. I found myself skimming through pages just to finish it quickly. Overall, it was a forgettable and unenjoyable read."