Thankfully, Mos Def and younger brother DCQ never forgot about their collaborative efforts as Medina Green. In 2004 the Brooklyn siblings resurrected and refreshed some of those old songs on a full-length release, while also introducing a few new yet classic-sounding hip-hop tunes that, like the originals, are built to stand the test of time. The two artists exchange heady wordplay alongside up-and-coming MCs from their extended family.
In 1994, Mos Def along with his younger brother DCQ and his younger sister Ces, formed the group Urban Thermo Dynamics. UTD first graced the scene with the underground classic track "My Kung Fu". They soon thereafter followed up with the now classic "Manifest Destiny" single, which gave them notoriety among the wider hip-hop masses.? Both singles where to lead up to the release of the group?s debut album, Manifest Destiny. Though the group was signed to Payday Records, the album never saw an official release.
Soon after the group was released from Payday, Mos Def and DCQ formed Medina Green and released the Rawkus Records underground mega-hit Crosstown Beef. Later, Mos Def recorded with Talib Kweli as Black Star, which took his underground notoriety to soaring heights. Mos Def's commercial popularity spawned with his hit gold debut solo album, Black on Both Sides.
Now commercially available for the first time is the UTD Manifest Destiny album via Illson Media (imprint founded by DCQ). This hip-hop classic is filled with dark and melodic bass heavy production from Diamond D. and Showbiz. The album features the timeless songs: 'My Kung Fu', 'Manifest Destiny', 'Moon In Cancer', and 'Like That'. This album is a must have for all fans of classic and quality Hip-Hop.
In conjunction with the release of the UTD album, Illson Media is re-releasing Medina Green U Know The Flex Mixtape Vol. 1. The CD features the new Medina Green tracks: 'Cats Copy', 'Pump Da Pump', and 'Slow and Tender'. As well, the project features the hard to find Mos Def tracks 'Beef' and 'Excellence'. U Know The Flex features production from Hi-Tek, Minnesota, Supa Dave West, Geology, and new comer Mike B. The Mixtape also features appearances from Illson Media artists Ali Shine, Magnetic, and Young Kash.