Early Life:
Dante Terrell Smith (Yasiin Bey) popularly known by his stage name Mos Def was born in Brooklyn and was the oldest of 11 siblings. They were split into two groups and raised separately by their mother who resided in the Brooklyn projects and their father who lived in New Jersey. His childhood was marred by violence, addiction and crime, however Mos managed to stay clear of all this and make a name for himself as a rapper. During his college years he landed his first acting role on The Cosby Mysteries (19941995). He broke into the music business with the release of his albums such Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998) and Black on Both Sides (1999).

Career Highlights:
Despite the huge success of his albums Mos wanted to act in movies and bagged roles in films such as Bamboozled (2000), Monster`s Ball (2001), Showtime (2002) and The Italian Job (2003). His movies The Hitchhiker`s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) and 16 Blocks (2006) were also well received. Mos worked on his albums in addition to starring in there films. His album The Ecstatic (2009) was nominated for the best rap album at the Grammy`s. Mos will be seen in the upcoming movie Life of Crime releasing September 2014.

Little Known Facts:

- Mos Def has taken up on skateboarding and yearns to host a skateboarding event in the United Arab Emirates.

- In September 2005, Mos Def released the single Katrina Clap, a critical reaction to the lack of response by the Bush administration to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

- His name is quite appropriate with regards to his character in The Italian Job, who went deaf after blowing up a toilet.