By Alisha Dixon
Rapper and actor, Yasiin Bey, best known as Mos Def, has announced his retirement from music and acting.
In January, the rapper and actor, was detained on immigration charges in South Africa for illegally living in the country and was forced to cancel shows. It was during this time that Bey decided to retire. In a statement, he said,“I have reason to believe or suspect that there are political motivations behind the way that I’m being treated because this is following no reasonable strain of logic. And it’s curious. I haven’t broken any law and I am being treated like a criminal. I know that I’m not unique in that regard and I’m grateful that I’m here with my family and I haven’t been physically harmed or anything like that. However, I have been detained and people in this state have taken punitive action against me. Unnecessarily,” the rapper said.
In the statement, Bey indicated his plans to retire.
“I’m retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today and also from Hollywood, effective immediately. I’m releasing my final album this year and that’s that. Peace to all. Fear of none,” Def said.
Mos Def is known for being a member of the group Black Star along with fellow rappers Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek. The Brooklyn-born rapper and actor has released 4 solo albums and has starred in movies including Brown Sugar, Monster’s Ball, The Italian Job, Cadillac Records and numerous other movies and television shows.
Bey has always used his music and his fame to bring to light many human rights issues such as racism and the prison industrial complex. He has been a voice for an entire generation.
Bey plans to celebrate his career and hold his final concert on December 21 at the Apollo Theater in New York City.
The Mighty Mos Def will surely be missed.
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