Yasiin Bey’s Retirement Is Far From What You’d Expect [Audio]

G.O.O.D. Music‘s Yasiin “Mos Def” Bey‘s recent retirement announcement won’t mean the end of his music-making. The hip-hop veteran has announced plans to put out at least two more albums following his upcoming rap exit.

In a new interview, Bey shocked listeners by announcing he has a couple new studio releases on deck.

In an interview with WNL Radio in Miami for Art Basel, Bey announced that he will be premiering songs from two additional album before the end of the year — including a collaborative project with famed producer Mannie Fresh. “I will be premiering my new album, Negus In Natural Person, and me and Mannie Fresh’s project, which is called As Promised, at The Apollo on December 21,” Bey said. The Brooklyn rapper then previewed some of the new material live on the air. (The FADER)

Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey Announced 2 new albums. One with @manniefresh! pic.twitter.com/N1DXAtrI00

— Mikey Fresh (@MikeyFresh1) December 3, 2016

Yasiin Bey "Turnt" live in Miami #ArtBasel2016 #NewAlbum #OnTheWay pic.twitter.com/zADWTtSXbH

— Mikey Fresh (@MikeyFresh1) December 3, 2016

Later this week, Def is premiering his Dec 99th self-titled group album through rap mogul Jay Z‘s TIDAL streaming service.

Today, Dec 99th’s yasiin bey (FKA Mos Def) and artist Ferrari Sheppard announced the release of their self-titled debut album, “December 99th” on Friday, December 9th exclusively on TIDAL. The pair spent the last year recording in South Africa co-creating while yasiin awaited his departure from the country. Amidst the madness, they created a cohesive body of work consisting of 9 tracks, the majority of them created at 99 beats per minute. TIDAL members will be able to stream the album atTIDAL.com/DEC99th.

Last summer, Bey and Dec 99th member Ferrari Sheppard teamed up for new music as Dec 99th.

Dec. 99th is a collaboration between Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) and Ferrari Sheppard. Today, they’ve shared a new song called “Hymn.” You can stream it below via Tidal. It follows previous collaborations as Dec. 99th like “Local Time” and “N.A.W.” The song comes with a statement from Bey: “Condolences to the families of the slain. Never stop pursuing freedom.” (Pitchfork)

Bey is gearing up for retirement and will perform his final shows in January.

In the wake of being permitted to leave South Africa today (Nov. 22) after violating local immigration laws earlier this year, hip-hop legend yasiin bey (formerly known as Mos Def) has partnered with the Apollo Theater and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to present his final U.S. performances. The special engagements will begin with a Dec. 21 show at Harlem, New York’s Apollo. Then bey will head to Washington, D.C. for a Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 2017 New Year’s Eve celebratory run at the Kennedy Center. (Billboard)