Countdown in Photos #5: Mos Def (Black Star)

Over the month of December I am planning to delight you with tales of my adventures as a concert photographer in 2011. They may be the best shots I took, or the best moments I experienced. Either way, it would be a shame for those to fall by the wayside and be left sitting dormant in my feeble mind. Keep coming back, there'll be a new one each day.

Check out yesterday's post with Duran Duran.

Mos Def of Black Star at Showbox SoDo

I'm the first to admit that Hip Hop isn't exactly on my radar. I love our local scene and recognize incredible talent when I see it, but I don't go out of my way to see it like other genres. I made an exception last month at Showbox SoDo when Thee Satisfaction and Black Star were set to hit the stage.

Like a lot of people, I know Mos Def from many different angles: actor, musical artist, producer and much more. I didn't know a whole lot about Black Star, Mos Def's project with Talib Kweli, but knew anything these two prolific artists would do together would be fantastic.

What I didn't know is how absolutely classy they are. The lyrics themselves aren't always the classiest, but they present themselves with professionalism, love for the fans and love of the work they do. What's really interesting is how it showed in their fans as well.

Going to show after show photographing artists you start to appreciate spending less time on your feet and more time in photo pits. It's really a win-win situation, you stay out of the fans' way (at least I try to), you aren't pushed and pulled in every direction when attempting to capture crisp shots of the artists and once you shoot the first three songs you can head to the back, or decamp to the bar and enjoy the show.

Unfortunately this time there was no pit so I had to stand in the crush of people near the front hoping to capture at least one or two great moments. I was worried because the group of people near me were being really rowdy and it was just the break between bands. Once Black Star strutted onto stage, however, they were really respectful and even helped me maneuver to the best positions for shooting. That doesn't typically happen even at the best of venues with the most low-key artists performing.

The show was amazingly fun, the fans were great and I ended up with a few shots I can be really proud of.