Mos Def greets the crowd at Take Back Labor Day

Photos by Justin Andert

With the Republican National Convention in full swing, the SEIU took the opportunity to Take Back Labor Day. The event for a conscious cause, hosted an equally conscious lineup. With artists like the Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) and Billy Bragg getting the crowd amped up, it was a closing lineup of conscious hip-hop that kept the crowd sweating out the heat on Harriet Island. Atmosphere took to the stage as the sun began to move to its setting position, and with the support of their hometown, and the recent release of When life gives you lemons…, they really put the crowd in the perfect vibe for one of hip-hop’s truly influential and conscious MCs, Mos Def.

Mos Def enters the stage

The DJs dropped the beat as Mos Def’s voice came over the speakers. Climbing up the steps, mic in hand, and dressed warmly in a member’s only jacket, the Brooklyn native was met by a warm, rather sweltering, welcome from the massive crowd.

Mos Def chills by his trailor before his set

The crowd seemed to hang on every word as Mos Def rapped through newer material, along with classics like Blackstar’s Definition, but it was what he did between the songs that captured the crowd. With interludes of dub reggae and soul tracks that kept the vibe flowing, Mos Def showed why he’s one of the few single MCs can really hold the crowds attention.

Also showing his ability to discuss the issue without preaching, Mos Def rose above the temperature to reach the ears of the crowd with a short speech about the “underdog” right before leading into another classic, Respiration. Short but sweet, the set was the highlight of the day, and kept 10,000 sweaty fans involved, despite “Minnesota” being the “ancient term for hot in the summer”.

The Nightwatchman

Tom Morello talks with Iraq veterans Against the War backstage

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• MP3: Mos Def – “Ghetto Rock”
• MP3: Mos Def – “Dollar Days For New Orleans (Katrina Klap)”
• MP3: The Nightwatchman – “Whatever it Takes”

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Above the Fold’s camera equipment took a crap at this point…so here’s some fancy iPhone pictures