Yasiin Bey Performs 1st U.S. Show In 5 Years At Miami's Art Basel

December 12, 2016 | 6:00 AM

Yasiin Bey (better known as Mos Def) ran through his first U.S. performance in five years during Art Basel in Miami, where he was asked to perform on the Smoke Signals Studio stage in Little Haiti as part of Boiler Room and Saul Williams’ In Appreciation Of Lyricism showcase. During his set, he debuted new music, including “No Time To Pretend,” which is set to the backdrop of El Michels Affair’s cover of Wu-Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.”

Bey announced his retirement from the Hip Hop scene in October, but before his exit, has also promised three fresh albums—Dec. 99th with producer Ferrari Shepard (recorded in South Africa), As Promised (produced entirely by Mannie Fresh) and Negus In Natural Person. Check out the new stuff above and “No Time To Pretend” above.