Respiration (song)

"Respiration" is a song by American rappers Mos Def and Talib Kweli, collectively known as Black Star. It was released as the second single from the duo’s eponymously titled 1998 album (see 1998 in music). It features a guest verse from fellow American rapper Common and guitar playing by DeChown Jenkins. The song’s production was handled by Hi-Tek, who sampled "The Fox" as performed by Don Randi. In addition, the song's introduction samples a monologue from the hip hop documentary Style Wars. It is found on Best of Decade I: 1995-2005, a compilation of Rawkus Records' best songs. It can also be found on Howie B's compilation album Another Late Night: Howie B. The single reached #54 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[1]

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Quick Facts from the album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, Released ...

"Respiration"
Single by Black Star featuring Common
from the album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Released	February 23, 1999
Genre	Conscious hip hop, underground hip hop
Length	6:05
Label	Rawkus Records
Songwriter(s)	Talib Kweli Greene, Dante Terell Smith, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Tony Cottrell (original) Talib Kweli Greene, Peter O. Philips, Dante Terell Smith, Tariq Trotter (remix)
Producer(s)	Hi-Tek Pete Rock (remix)
Black Star singles chronology
"Definition" (1998) "Respiration" (1999)
Common singles chronology
"One-Nine-Nine-Nine" (1999) "Respiration" (1999) "Car Horn" (1999)

Close

Two remixes were made for "Respiration": 'Flying High Mix' contains production by Pete Rock and a verse by Black Thought of The Roots. Another remix found on the Hip Hop Classics Vol. 1 compilation album also features Pete Rock production, but has a guest verse by Common instead of Black Thought.