On first listen a couple months ago, I wasn’t really feeling this mash-up album. But after a couple re-listens, it’s really grown on me. The tracks work well, and are reworked to an interesting degree, making Mos Dub more than the sum of its parts. In other words, this doesn’t sound like hiphop acapellas overlaid on dub instrumentals, but a deeper and more thoughful re-working. The creator of this mash-up, Max Tannone, had this to say:
While listening to these dub tunes, which are often heavily based on the drums and the bass, would also sound great if sampled for hip-hop tracks. Being a huge Mos Def fan (and Mos who sometimes breaks into a Jamaican patois himself), I knew he would fit well over the tracks. His lyrics are often socially poignant – a common theme with reggae music too. He is one of my favorite musicians and I hope he heard Mos Dub and enjoyed it.
If you enjoyed this mash-up, check out Tannone’s other works: Jaydiohead (Jay-Z vs Radiohead) and Doublecheck Your Head (Beastie Boys).
