Mos Def began writing rhymes in grade school, at first as a desperate act of survival. Though Mos Def was earning sporadic film and television roles, he began turning his attention toward music, which had also been a childhood passion. After high school, his mom worked as his manager. Mos Def landed a few other roles as well and during this time used the name Dante Beze. He later made appearances on NYPD Blue in 1997 and Spin City in 1998. Fresh out of high school Mos Def earned a role on the short-lived 1994 TV show The Cosby Mysteries. At the age of 16 he earned the part of Nell Carter's son on the sitcom You Take the Kids, which ran from 1990 to 1991. When Mos Def was a freshman, he landed his first real acting gig, starring in an ABC movie of the week called God Bless the Child in the late 1980s. He loved the experience and when he reached high school, he enrolled at a New York City performing arts magnet school. Mos Def made his stage debut in fifth grade in a production of Marlo Thomas's Free to Be You and Me. The group had two singles until he took on a solo career. In 1994, his music career began by forming the group Urban Thermo Dynamics with his younger siblings. He then moved on to New York University afterwards. He studied at Philippa Schuyler Middle School and later took up Musical Theater at Talent Unlimited High School of the Performing Arts. 'I wanted to get involved, I didn't want to just sit around and accept my surroundings.'Īt the age of six, he already started rapping and acting. I had a curious mind, so I wanted to do things that activated that challenge,' he told Cromelin. Filled with initiative, he filled his spare time reading. At one time, Mos Def thought about becoming a doctor or a minister. Early on, Mos Def decided he would work hard and make a better life for himself. Speaking to Richard Cromelin of the Los Angeles Times, Mos Def characterized his neighborhood as 'a bright valley with dark prospects.' He said he believed his neighbors were good people with bad habits. Growing up, Mos Def made the most of his surroundings. His father, Abdul Rahman, whom he calls Abi, lived in neighboring New Jersey. The oldest of 12 kids (some sources say nine), Mos Def was raised by his mother, Sheron, whom he calls Umi, in Brooklyn's rough-and-tumble Roosevelt housing project. Mos Def was born Dante Terrell Smith on December 11, 1973, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Born Dante Terrell Smith, December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, NY son of Abdul (Abi) Rahman and Sheron (Umi) Smith.

Mos def movie list