yasiin bey and Rhymesayers Entertainment Partner on Worldwide Reissue of Critically Acclaimed Masterpiece The Ecstatic, With New Music To Follow | Shore Fire Media

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22 June, 2026Print

yasiin bey and Rhymesayers Entertainment Partner on Worldwide Reissue of Critically Acclaimed Masterpiece The Ecstatic, With New Music To Follow

Long Out-of-Print Vinyl Available August 14th

Streaming Exclusively via Qobuz

Photo credit: Cognito, hi-res download HERE

yasiin bey, the legendary artist formerly known as Mos Def, today announced a new partnership with Rhymesayers Entertainment, with the first release being the long-awaited reissue of his seminal 2009 album, The Ecstatic. It will be reintroduced on all physical formats August 14th, marking the first time it has been available for worldwide distribution in more than a decade-and-a-half. The album is also available today via exclusive streaming partner Qobuz.

Rooted in a mutual commitment to superior sound fidelity and equitable pay for creators, this alliance reflects yasiin’s own artistic principles and his longstanding advocacy for artist rights. By joining forces with a platform known for its high-quality audio and expert human curation, bey is highlighting alternatives for those who prioritize artistic integrity and the inherent value of art.

In addition to offering The Ecstatic for high resolution and lossless digital downloads, Qobuz is launching free trial subscriptions providing unlimited access to the album as well as more than 100 million other tracks. The campaign celebrates a work that reaffirmed bey’s status as one of hip-hop’s most adventurous and intellectually engaged voices. 

Physical Pre-order HERE

Qobuz Stream HERE

Among The Ecstatic variants is a deluxe package pressed on double LP 180-gram black vinyl, which also includes a translucent red 7” vinyl single featuring the previously unreleased bonus tracks “The Size” and “The Tournament.” It is bolstered by a 120-page hardcover book loaded with photos by Cognito, who documented a two-year span of yasiin creating and promoting the original 2009 release, along with lyric quotes and some of bey's handwritten notes from the era. All vinyl orders will receive instant digital downloads of the full album. Fans are also encouraged to visit CasaBey.com for news and special announcements from yasiin bey, as well as The Ecstatic apparel. 

Originally released on Downtown Records a decade after his celebrated solo debut Black on Both SidesThe Ecstatic was widely regarded as bey’s strongest work in years. The album earned near-universal praise for its lyrical breadth and eclectic production and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album, weaving a global sonic tapestry shaped by a roster of visionary producers including MadlibJ DillaOh NoPreservationMr. FlashChad Hugo (of The Neptunes), and Georgia Anne Muldrow.

The reissue brings the album’s jazz, soul, and Middle Eastern inflections back to the analog format, allowing listeners to experience tracks like “Supermagic” and the Grammy-nominated “Casa Bey” with the warmth and depth the production deserves. The album also features iconic guest performances from hip-hop royalty Slick Rick and Talib Kweli.

WATCH “CASA BEY” HERE

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkv10OTGsVY}

Download hi-res cover art HERE

 

The Ecstatic tracklist

01 Supermagic

02 Twilite Speedball

03 Auditorium (featuring Slick Rick)

04 Wahid

05 Priority

06 Quiet Dog Bite Hard

07 Life In Marvelous Times

08 The Embassy

09 No Hay Nada Mas

10 Pistola

11 Pretty Dancer

12 Workers Comp.

13 Revelations

14 Roses (featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow)

15 History (featuring Talib Kweli)

16 Casa Bey

17 The Size (bonus track)

18 The Tournament (bonus track)

 

Connect with yasiin bey:

Substack | Instagram | Facebook 



 

About yasiin bey:

yasiin bey is widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s most thoughtful and dynamic voices, celebrated for a career that bridges music, film, and cultural commentary. Emerging in the mid-1990s as one half of the acclaimed duo Black Star alongside Talib Kweli, bey quickly established himself as a leading figure in a new generation of lyrically driven hip-hop. His 1999 solo debut Black on Both Sides is considered a modern classic, praised for its fusion of sharp social insight, soulful production, and expansive musical vision.

Throughout the 2000s and beyond, bey continued to push creative boundaries with projects including The New DangerTrue Magic, and the critically celebrated The Ecstatic, collaborating with forward-thinking producers and exploring a wide range of global musical influences. Known for his incisive lyricism and fearless artistic curiosity, his work has consistently challenged conventions while remaining rooted in hip-hop’s storytelling traditions.

Beyond music, bey has built a notable career in film and television, appearing in acclaimed projects including The Italian Job16 BlocksThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the GalaxyBe Kind Rewind, and the Showtime series Dexter. Across disciplines, he remains an enduring cultural voice whose work reflects both artistic independence and a deep engagement with the world around him.

bey continues to innovate through his Substack newsletter, yasiin bey presents: The Local Time is Always Now, which features new music and monthly live-streamed performances from around the globe. He is currently on tour with frequent collaborators Gorillaz.

 

About Rhymesayers Entertainment:

Founded in 1995, Rhymesayers Entertainment emerged from Minneapolis–Saint Paul’s vibrant underground hip hop scene. Built on a foundation of collaboration, creativity, and community, what began as a group of friends performing in local coffee shops and self-releasing “Headshots” tapes evolved into one of independent Hip Hop’s most enduring labels. Following the label’s success with local talent including Musab, Atmosphere, Eyedea & Abilities, and Brother Ali, Rhymesayers quickly gained national recognition and expanded its roster to include influential names such as MF DOOM, Aesop Rock, Sa-Roc, Evidence, and more. Three decades later, Rhymesayers continues to grow and evolve while remaining true to its independent ethos and original principles and philosophies.

 

About Qobuz:

Founded in 2007 and a pioneer of high-quality sound, Qobuz is the French music streaming and download platform for those who want to live and share their passion for music. Available in 26 countries across Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, and Japan, Qobuz is aimed at all those seeking an authentic and fulfilling musical experience.

With more than 100 million tracks in lossless quality – CD, Hi-Res (24-bit/up to 192 kHz), DXD, and DSD – Qobuz offers the richest Hi-Res catalog on the market, recognized by the world’s leading hi-fi brands. It stands out for its commitment to preserving original recordings, in addition to its human touch with unique editorial content, expertly curated playlists, liner notes, and more.

In March 2025, Qobuz became the first streaming platform to have its average payout rate per stream officially validated by an independent audit, confirming a rate of US$0.01873 – officially the highest in the industry. The platform peaked at #4 on the iOS App Store in 2025 and more than doubled its new user base. Qobuz is licensed for Hi-Res audio by the Japan Audio Society (JAS).

For more information, visit qobuz.com

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