Black Star is an American hip hop duo formed in 1996, from Brooklyn, New York City.

[2] Their critically acclaimed debut album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star was released on September 29, 1998.

[3] They, together with other members of the Native Tongues Posse, helped shape underground alternative rap, bringing it into the mainstream.

Both Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli have gone on to greater commercial and critical success in their solo careers.

[3] In 2001, Black Star performed "Money Jungle" with Ron Carter and John Patton for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo, a tribute to Duke Ellington, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease.