Yasiin Bey, aka Mos Def, was arrested in South Africa last week for attempting to leave the country using a World Passport. He is currently still being held in Cape Town, and tonight, the rapper has shared a lengthy message containing a couple freestyle’s and announcing his retirement from the music and film industry.
The message was sent to Kanye West, which he tweeted and has posted on his website.
The message starts off with a freestyle to West’s latest release, “No More Parties In L.A.,” in which Bey changes “L.A” to “S.A.” After his freestyle, Bey goes on to explain his current situation explaining that he is, “being prevented from leaving unjustly and unlawfully.” He continues to say that he hasn’t broken any law and that he just wants to go home.
After further explaining the circumstances behind his detainment Bey continued to announce, “I’m retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today and also Hollywood, effective immediately. I will be releasing my final album this year, and that’s that. Peace to all.”
Bey continued to shoutout some people including West and Kendrick Lamar, saying “Shout out to K. Lamar, I see you my dude.”
He ended by professing his love for the people and city he has lived in for the past 3 years, according to Stereogum, but said that “We’re through.”
UPDATE- January 20, 2016
According to TMZ, Bey has been charged with using a false passport and travel document. He is currently out on bail and has been ordered to report to Cape Town police every two days until his next court date on March 8. His family has been ordered to leave the country by January 29th.
UPDATED- March 25, 2016
Yasiin Bey’s court case has been dismissed for the second time. “The case against him was meant to go to court on March 8, but prosecutors requested it be postponed so they could finish their investigation. A hearing took place today (March 24), but resulted in another delay,” according to NME. The new hearing date is set for May 12. Bey is currently out on bail for 5,ooo rands, or approximately $323.
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