“Auditorium” by Mos Def – produced by Madlib

With all due respect to one of my favorite MCs, Mos Def, I choose to focus the review of his song on the producer of the track. 

“Auditorium” is another glaring reason as to why Mr Otis Jackson a.k.a Madlib is considered part of hip hop “divinity” and enjoys that “untouchable” status next to other modern day masters such as J Dilla (RIP), Pete Rock and of course Dj Premier.  I’m not really in the business of getting caught up in anyone’s hype but this level of production reminds you exactly why you fell in love with hip hop in the first place.  I need reminders like this from time to time to help me cope with MTV’s latest “hottest MCs” list…lol.

Success in producing this style of hip hop is largely dependent on finding the right sample, and reworking it to fit the producer’s vision for the music.  Here, Madlib goes “East” and picks an Indian sample that’s laced with amazing strings and flutes to drive his vision.  However, in my opinion, his mastery is fully displayed through his work on the drums.  The beat just takes you away with its cadence and swing.  YOU WILL NOD TO THIS!!!!

As if having Mos Def over a Madlib beat wasn’t enough, one the genre’s illest storytellers lends a verse to the cause.  Slick Rick drops a few gems with his usual humor and effortless flow:

“Sit and come relax riddle of the mac
It’s the patch I’m a soldier in the middle of iraq
We’ll say about noonish coming out the whip and
Lookin at me curious
A young Iraqi kid
Carrying laundry
What’s wrong g, hungry?
No, give me my oil get *$#@ out of my country!
And in arabian barking other stuff till his moms come grab him
And they walk off in a rush
Distrust
Feelin like I pissed on a wound
I’m like surely hope that we can fix our differences soon…….”

Unadulterated dopeness………

This is dedicated to the girl who put me on “Blackstar” back in 1999..the Cape Town days….I’m forever grateful!!

• Title: Auditorium
• Artist: Mos Def featuring Slick Rick
• Album: The Ecstatic, 2009
• Link to Purchase Album on Amazon
  Link to purchase song on

 Loading ...

Share on Facebook

4 Responses to ““Auditorium” by Mos Def – produced by Madlib”

1. Anonymous says:

   November 3, 2009 at 10:29 pm

   yeah, this track is summing else. ddnt know produced by nadlib
2. Franzino says:

   November 4, 2009 at 1:50 am

   Mos-Def-inetely the hottest track on the Album……
3. Ssidy says:

   November 4, 2009 at 11:48 am

   yea Madlib got that touch! I think he has a couple more joints on the album.
4. Abdul says:

   November 19, 2009 at 11:35 pm

   never heard this….nice