Some pretty exciting news surfaced back in early February at a Madlib DJ set in Denver, Colorado. Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, made an an announcement at Madlib’s set: “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib Kweli, Yasiin, coming soon!” he said. “All Madlib, all day. 2018, Madlib, Black Star. Madlib Black Star.”
Bey doubled down on the claim later in the same month at the Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco, where he appeared as a special guest at Madlib’s set, alongside Dave Chappelle. Bey told the audience that he had just recorded the first verse for the new Black Star album, and followed the announcement with a performance the verse.