Black Star – Respiration (feat. Common)
Black Star – Respiration (feat. Common) (1998)
Directed by: Unknown
Respiration, released as the second single from Black Star’s 1998 debut album *Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star*, features a poignant exploration of urban life. The track, produced by Hi-Tek, includes a guest verse from Common and guitar by DeChown Jenkins. It samples Don Randi’s “The Fox” and a monologue from the documentary *Style Wars*. Each verse reflects on the challenges of city living, with Mos Def focusing on New York, Talib Kweli painting a vivid picture of Brooklyn, and Common reflecting on Chicago. The song’s deep themes, including smog-filled skies and the harsh realities of survival, make it a lasting classic in conscious hip-hop.
