Definition (song)

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“Definition”
“Definition” cover
Single by Black Star
from the album Black Star
Released August 26, 1998
Format 12-inch single, CD, Vinyl
Recorded Funky Slice Studios; Brooklyn, NY
Genre Conscious hip hop
Length 3:26
Label Rawkus Records
Writer(s) Dante Smith
Talib Kweli Greene
Tony Cottrell
Producer Hi-Tek
Black Star singles chronology
- "Definition"
(1998)
"Respiration"
(1999)

"Definition" is the first single from Black Star's eponymously titled 1999 album (see 1999 in music). It is produced by Hi-Tek, who samples "The P Is Free" by Boogie Down Productions for the track's beat. In addition, the song's chorus interpolates "Stop the Violence" by Boogie Down Production's. The chorus and the song's lyrics in general deal with the necessity to stop violence in hip hop. The song is an underground hit, but it still reached #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is featured on multiples compilations such as Best of Decade I: 1995-2005, Rawkus Records' greatest hits album. All Music Guide writer Jason Kaufman considers it to be a "flawless" track.[1]

A reprise of "Definition" named "RE:DEFinition" can be found on Black Star.

Contents

[edit] Single track list

[edit] A-Side

  1. "Definition (Radio Version)"
  2. "Definition (What We Really Said)"
  3. "Definition (Instrumental to Your Development)"

[edit] B-Side

  1. "Twice Inna Lifetime (Radiohead Version)"
  2. "Twice Inna Lifetime (Streethead Version)"
  3. "Twice Inna Lifetime (Instrumentally Yours)"

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kaufman, Jason. Black Star Review at All Music Guide. Retrieved on June 14, 2007.

[edit] See also