The Moment: Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Get By

Mos Def & Talib Kweli “Get By”

Background

Mos Def & Talib Kweli were performing at the Rocksteady Anniversary in The Bronx in 1998.

The Photographed Moment

Every summer, the Rocksteady Crew would host an anniversary in New York. In 1998, it was in the Bronx. This was a three day celebration filled with music, breakdancing, panel discussions and more.

The first day, Rocksteady held panel discussion and breakdance battle at The Point Community Center in the Bronx. Day Two was a concert, DJ and Freestyle battle in Manhattan featuring Supernatural (amazing freestyle MC). Day Three was an outdoor concert at a park in the Bronx.

The day of the outdoor concert, there was such a beautiful mixture of people from around the world that flocked to the Bronx in support of Rocksteady (worldwide members). During the afternoon, DJ Evil Dee, Tony Touch, and Grandmaster Cas held down the sounds. The afternoon’s performance included: Black Moon, Smiff n Wesson, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, and others.

During most of the day, I walked the grounds taking pictures of various moments: little kids practicing handstands, families picnicking, senior members of Rocksteady greeting people (Afrika Bambatta, Pee Wee, Crazy Leg). It felt like a Hiphop family reunion of sorts.

The moment when I shot Mos Def & Talib Kweli, I was walking behind the stage to get a better vantage point to shoot. While walking, I saw Mos Def, whom I hadn’t seen in two years. Two years prior, I would see him every so often while De La was working on Stakes is High.

When we saw each other, we greeted. Mos Def gestured that they were about to go on stage.

I motioned my hand asking to take one photo of him and Talib. They looked at each other and agreed. I stepped back, focused my Yashica Mat (124 G) camera, took one shot and thanked them as they headed for the stage.