Dante Smith, known professionally as Mos Def or Yasiin Bey, is a rapper, actor and political activist celebrated for his lyrical depth and socially conscious themes.
Early Days
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Mos Def honed his craft on the local hip‑hop scene before gaining national attention as one half of the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli.
Fun Facts
He received a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2010 for “The Ecstatic,” and he has appeared in films such as The Italian Job, Cadillac Records, and the TV series Dexter.
Family Life
Mos Def fathered two daughters, Jauhara and Chandani, with his first wife Maria Yepes (married 1996). He later married model Alana Wyatt in 2005, though the marriage ended shortly thereafter.
Collaborations With
Beyond Black Star, he has worked with Talib Kweli, Adrien Brody on Cadillac Records, and participated in the urban group Urban Thermo Dynamics.