Yasiin Bey: podcast appearances and interviews

Yasiin Bey, born Dante Terrell Smith on December 11, 1973, is an American rapper, singer, and actor known for his contributions to conscious hip-hop. He has gained recognition for his use of wordplay and commentary on social and political issues including police brutality, American exceptionalism, and the status of African Americans in the United States. Bey began his career in 1994, initially joining his siblings in the short-lived rap group Urban Thermo Dynamics and appearing as a guest on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. In 1996, he formed the duo Black Star with fellow Brooklyn-based rapper Talib Kweli, releasing a debut album in 1998 that included notable singles such as 'Definition' and 'Respiration' featuring Common. His solo career was marked by the release of acclaimed albums like Black on Both Sides in 1999 and The Ecstatic in 2009. Although his 2000 single 'Oh No' with Pharoahe Monch featuring Nate Dogg was his only entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, his overall influence in hip-hop remains significant. Bey is also recognized for his work as a former child actor, with roles in television films, sitcoms, and theater, as well as appearances in various films including The Italian Job, The Woodsman, and Bamboozled. He hosted Def Poetry Jam from 2002 to 2007 and has appeared in television series such as Dexter and House. In 2014, About.com ranked him as the 14th greatest rapper of all time.