Rapper Mos Def and Talib Kweli, now known as Yasiin Bey, formed Black Star after meeting for the first time and forming a duo in a 2009 interview. The pair, both critical of modern excess and U.S. imperialism, were both equally scathing in their critiques of contemporary excess and imperialism. Kweli was performing at open mic nights and working a regular 9-5 at the time, while Mos Def was too disillusioned to do his debut rap album. They had a brainstorming session when he bought a jazz album and decided to create a collabo like jazz, a one-album deal. Despite their working-class mindset, Mos Def did not want to glorify the lifestyle of luxury or street life.