“Brown Skin Lady,” Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, Black Star (1998)
Black Star will forever be one of the best duos in Hip-Hop history. Their unique perspectives of nation-building and social awareness helped shaped this song about this “Brown Skin Lady.” The first verse lead by an early 20-something Talib Kweli exalts the melanated woman above the Eurocentric construct of beauty, a position that he maintains even until this day. Followed by Mos Def, who at the time was only a little bit older, with his lyrical serenade of dark-skinned women, who Malcolm X has said are the most “disrespected,” “unprotected,” and “neglected” persons in America. The song is saturated with positive affirmation and a gift to women of color all over the world.
“Of my life, Coppertone owe you copyright infringement, pay. You been this tan since way back in the day,
It’s like I’m standing there you know appreciation God’s design, and then you showed up, it’s like you read my mind”
“Good look champion, win the title. True, many man try invite you
Shot down lyric each time they cyph’ you, Jewel, what man, ya get born inside zoo?
Feet they walk way and just let she pass-through
Ooooh! Can’t be a next one like you”