B Boys Will B Boys

Talib Kweli · Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star [1998]

[Mos Def]

Yo yo, yo, whassup, yo yo

Yo yo, we gonna, we gonna slow it down

so we can speed it up y'all

Right now I want everybody come to the front

That's right, move forward

I want all the poppers and the breakers, to form this circle

I want all the poppers and the breakers

The writers and the exciters, to get in this circle

and make it real live yo

Cause I'm seein too many stars up in here tonight yo

I'm seein the Rock Steady Crew

I'm seein Ken Swift, I'm seein Mr. Wiggles

I'm seein Modesho, I'm seein Crazy Legs

Man I'm seein the Zulu Nation up in here

I'm seein the Rawkus family, Shabaam Shadeeq, Company Flow

Menelik, I'm seein G-ology, Shawn J. Period

Man this the Black Star movement

Mos Def, Talib Kweli we gon' keep it live

for the b boys and b girls universally

Rock Steady Japan, Rock Steady Europe

Rock Steady New York, yo we just gonna keep it live

all over the world -- get live



[Talib Kweli]

Party people, in the place to be

My name is Talib Kweli

Yo, I got my man on the side of me

Mos Def-initely, and we, are



(Fresh) Black Star

(Fresh) G Young

(Fresh) Hi-Tek

(Fresh) Native Tongue

(Fresh) Shawn J.

(Fresh) Eighty-eight

(Fresh) Ninety-eight

we bout to motivate, come on y'all



[M] Here's a little story that must be told

[T] About two young brothers who was put on hold

[M] They tried to stop the goal

[T] We on a spiritual plane

[M] Tried to kill the pride

[T] And destroy the name

[M] We just two bad brothers

[T] Who will never quit

[M] I'm Mos Def

[T] Kweli (WE THE ULTIMATE)

[M] Make sure that you tell

[T] Everybody you know

[M] To get on line

[T] Take a ride

[M] To the Black Star show!

[T] Black Star

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house y'all

[T] Black Star

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house y'all

[T] Black Star

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house

[M] Shinin

[T]Shinin, we in the house y'all

[T] Black Star

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house

[M] Shinin

[T] Shinin, we in the house y'all

B Boys Will B Boys

Released in 1998 on the collaborative album Black Star, Talib Kweli's "B Boys Will B Boys" stands as a quintessential example of East Coast hip-hop from the late 90s. The track features the duo's signature blend of sharp lyricism and socially conscious themes, delivered over a gritty, sample-based beat that defines the era's sound. As a key component of the Black Star project, the recording highlights Kweli's ability to weave complex narratives about urban life and community dynamics into his verses. The song reflects the collaborative spirit of the duo, who worked closely to produce music that addressed systemic issues while maintaining a rhythmic flow characteristic of the golden age of hip-hop. It remains a notable song in Kweli's discography, showcasing his evolution as a vocalist and his commitment to substantive storytelling within the genre.