[1] In 1998, he made his mainstream debut on Rawkus Records in the duo Black Star with rapper Talib Kweli.

In 1999, Yasiin Bey released his solo debut album Black on Both Sides, which was certified Gold in the US and featured the singles "Ms.

In 2004, Yasiin Bey released his second solo album The New Danger, in which he experimented with other genres such as rock and R&B.

Later the same year saw the release of UTD album Manifest Destiny under the independent label Illsion Media, run by Bey's brother and fellow group member DCQ.

The album featured a compilation of previously unreleased and re-released tracks recorded during the original UTD run.