yasiin-bey-negus

Yasiin Bey's new work 'Negus' makes U.S. debut at Brooklyn Museum installation

For the 20th anniversary of his great Mos Def album Black on Both Sides album, Yasiin Bey is presenting his latest recorded work, Negus, exclusively as a listening installation at Brooklyn Museum from November 15, 2019 through January 26, 2020. Bey says that Negus will not be released in any digital or analog mediums and can only be heard at galleries and here contains all new material that has been uniquely arranged for the Brooklyn Museum. Here’s more:

The latest in a series of international presentations of Negus, the exhibition acknowledges the importance of hip-hop as a fundamental American art form by making the 8-track, 28-minute recording available without the distractions of technology (upon entering the gallery, visitors are given a case in which to lock their mobile devices). In addition to Negus, the exhibition includes artworks by Ala Ebtekar, Julie Mehretu, and José Parlá created in collaboration with bey, as well as original music by celebrated pianist by Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou.

Negus (pronounced neh-goose) takes its name from the word for “king” or “ruler” in Ge` ez, one of the ancient Semitic languages of Ethiopia. bey associates the term with Prince Alämayyähu Tewodros and others who have led noble lives, including Henrietta Lacks and Nipsey Hussle.

Entry to Negus is hourly, starting at 11 AM during Museum hours, with 75 tickets available each hour. As mentioned in the quoted material above, attendees “will be asked to secure their mobile devices in locked bags upon entering the gallery, ensuring that there are no distractions and encouraging visitors to be fully present.” Tickets for Negus are on sale now.

Meanwhile, Bey is celebrating Black on Both Sides with a few shows, including Brooklyn Steel on November 3 with Camp Lo (sold out). Bey also came out for a few nights of Robert Glasper’s Blue Note Residency.