yasiin bey Releases Cognito-Directed Music Video for “Priority”

yasiin bey – formerly known as Mos Def – shares a new music video for “Priority,” directed by legendary filmmaker/photographer Cognito (MF Doom, De La Soul, Talib Kweli), featuring never-before-seen footage from that era. The unveiling of the visual celebrates the recent partnership with Rhymesayers Entertainment and reissue of his seminal 2009 album The Ecstatic, which will be reintroduced on all physical formats on Friday, August 14. This marks the first time it has been available for worldwide distribution in more than a decade and a half. The album is also available via exclusive streaming partner Qobuz.

Throughout the years, Cognito has contributed immensely to the world of hip-hop, from his origins as a promoter to FatBeats record store operator to touring the world as a member of the underground group massinfluence. His work with bey during the making of The Ecstatic provides a compelling backstory during the creation of the record, noting: “After culling images that would eventually make it into the deluxe edition photobook + vinyl, I created a music video for ‘Priority’ too. I used clips pulled from over 70 hours of mini DV footage I captured during those years – from the first studio visit in LA when yasiin was recording the album, to press appearances for the initial release, to out on the road for The Ecstatic Tour across the US and all the way to South Africa.”

Among the physical format variants of The Ecstatic is a deluxe package pressed on double LP 180-gram black vinyl, which also includes a translucent red 7″ vinyl single featuring the previously unreleased bonus tracks “The Size” and “The Tournament.” It is bolstered by a 120-page hardcover book, all designed and laid out by Frolab and loaded with photos by Cognito, who documented a two-year span of yasiin creating and promoting the original 2009 release, along with lyric quotes and some of bey’s handwritten notes from the era. All vinyl orders will receive instant digital downloads of the full album. Fans are also encouraged to visit CasaBey.com for news and special announcements from yasiin bey, as well as The Ecstatic apparel.

Originally released on Downtown Records a decade after his celebrated solo debut Black on Both Sides, The Ecstatic was widely regarded as bey’s strongest work in years. The album earned near-universal praise for its lyrical breadth and eclectic production and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album, weaving a global sonic tapestry shaped by a roster of visionary producers including Madlib, J Dilla, Oh No, Preservation, Mr. Flash, Chad Hugo (of The Neptunes), and Georgia Anne Muldrow.

The reissue brings the album’s jazz, soul, and Middle Eastern inflections back to the analog format, allowing listeners to experience tracks like “Supermagic” and the Grammy-nominated “Casa Bey” with the warmth and depth the production deserves. The album also features iconic guest performances from hip-hop royalty Slick Rick and Talib Kweli.

The Ecstatic Track Listing:

1. Supermagic
2. Twilite Speedball
3. Auditorium (featuring Slick Rick)
4. Wahid
5. Priority
6. Quiet Dog Bite Hard
7. Life In Marvelous Times
8. The Embassy
9. No Hay Nada Mas
10. Pistola
11. Pretty Dancer
12. Workers Comp.
13. Revelations
14. Roses (featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow)
15. History (featuring Talib Kweli)
16. Casa Bey
17. The Size (bonus track)
18. The Tournament (bonus track)

yasiin bey ‘The Ecstatic’ album artwork