Connect with us

Actor

Yasiin Bey: Wiki, Career, Wife, Movies & Net Worth [2022]

Published

on

Yasiin Bey  known as American actor, singer, and songwriter Mos Def .

His career began in the rap group Urban Thermo Dynamics. Later, he would appear in albums by De La Soul and Da Bush Babes. Now, he has become an internationally-known artist.

Here are some fascinating facts about the artist. This biography will provide you with an insight into the artist’s life.

Advertisement

Yasiin Bey Wiki

He was born Dante Terrell Smith on December 11, 1973. Along with his siblings, he started his hip hop career in 1994 with the short-lived rap group Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD), after which they contributed to Da Bush Babees and De La Soul records.

Later, he and fellow Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli created the group Black Star, and in 1998 they released their self-titled first album, which featured the singles “Definition” and “Respiration”.

His solo debut, Black on Both Sides, was released in 1999, and he was a member of the Rawkus Records roster. The New Danger (2004), True Magic (2006), and The Ecstatic came after his debut (2009).

Advertisement

On their list of the “50 Greatest Rappers of All Time,” the writers of About.com ranked him as the 14th best rapper.  The songs “Oh No,” “Ms. Fat Booty,” and “Mathematics” are among of his best-known songs.

Mos Def first made his public debut as a kid actor in television movies, sitcoms, and plays before beginning his musical career. He has acted in a number of movies and television shows since the early 2000s, including Something the Lord Made, Next Day Air, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks, Be Kind Rewind, The Italian Job, The Woodsman, Bamboozled, and Brown Sugar. He was also the host of the HBO programme Def Poetry Jam from 2002 to 2007.

Mos Def has advocated for a number of social and political issues, such as racism, police brutality, and the notion of American exceptionalism.

Advertisement

The son of Sheron Smith and Abdulrahman Smith, Mos Def was born Dante Terrell Smith on December 11, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York City. His mother reared him in Brooklyn while his father lived in New Jersey. He was the oldest of 12 children and stepchildren.

His father initially belonged to the Nation of Islam and then joined Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, who transitioned from the Nation of Islam to the main stream of Sunni Islam.

When Mos Def was 13 years old, he first encountered Islam. He has a good friendship with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, two other Muslim hip-hop artists.

Advertisement

Mos Def discovered his passion for acting while attending Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  Mos Def dropped out of high school during his sophomore year after returning from Los Angeles where he had been filming You Take the Kids and starting a relationship with an older woman.

He has described how he witnessed extensive gang violence, larceny, and poverty while growing up in New York City during the 1980s and early 1990s crack epidemic. He was generally able to dodge these situations by working on plays, Off-Off-Broadway, and arts programmes.

Mos Def observed his younger brother, Ilias Bey (born Denard Smith), who was five years old at the time, being struck by a car, which was a particularly upsetting event in his upbringing. Later, Ilias took up the alias DCQ and Mos Def referred to Ilias as “my first collaborator in hip hop.

Advertisement

Yasiin Career

Music career1994–1998

In 1994, Mos Def launched his musical career by founding the group UTD (or Urban Thermo Dynamics) with his younger brother DCQ and a friend from high school named Ces .

Their first and only release to date is the album Manifest Destiny, which was published in 2004. Recorded during the initial UTD run, the CD is a collection of previously unheard and re-released songs.

Advertisement

Before releasing his first single, “Universal Magnetic,” in 1997, Mos Def first became a solo artist in 1996 and collaborated with Da Bush Babees and De La Soul.

Mos Def signed with Rawkus Records and formed the rap group Black Star with Talib Kweli. The duo released an album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, in 1998. Mostly produced by Hi-Tek, the album featured the singles “Respiration” and “Definition”, which both reached in the Billboard Hot Hip-Hop Songs chart.

1999–2006: Black on Both Sides, Mos Def’s self-titled debut album, was made available in October 1999 through Rawkus.  

Advertisement

The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200, while the single “Ms. Fat Booty” charted.  He also contributed around this period to the Scritti Politti album Anomie & Bonhomie.

Geffen Records  acquired Rawkus Records in January 2002, and in October 2004, The New Danger, his second solo album, was made available.

The Black Jack Johnson Band, which consisted of Shuggie Otis, Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish, and Will Calhoun, contributed to it. The album was the artist’s most commercially successful release to date, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200.

Advertisement

The song “Sex, Love & Money” reached the charts and received a Grammy Award nomination.  True Magic, Mos Def’s last solo album for Geffen Records, was released in 2006.

Yasiin Movies

  • Tour de France 2016
  • Life of Crime 2013
  • Begin Again 2013
  • I’m Still Here 2010
  • Next Day Air 2009
  • Cadillac Records 2008
  • Bury Me Standing 2008
  • Be Kind Rewind 2008
  • Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby 2006
  • Journey to the End of the Night 2006
  • 16 Blocks 2006
  • The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 2005
  • The Woodsman 2004
  • The Italian Job 2003

Yasiin Wife

In 1996, Mos Def wed Maria Yepes. In 2006, he requested a divorce from Yepes. When Yepes brought Mos Def to court for failing to meet his child-support obligations—paying $2,000 less each month than the $10,000.

He is required to pay for their two daughters—the former couple made headlines. Mos Def has four further kids.
His mother Sheron Smith, also known by her stage name “Umi,” has actively participated in managing some of her son’s professional endeavours.

She has written the book Shine Your Light: A Life Skills Workbook, in which she describes her experience as a single mother raising him, and she is also a motivational speaker.

Advertisement

In January 2016, Mos Def was given the order to depart South Africa and not return for five years. He had been there unlawfully on a tourist visa that had expired in May 2013, which allowed him entry.

He was charged with living unlawfully in South Africa since 2014 and using an unrecognised World Passport that same month.

Mos Def reportedly asked Kanye West to support him in his defence and placed a message on West’s website declaring his exit from the entertainment industry.

Advertisement

The artist and his family were parties to a court proceeding regarding immigration-related infractions.  On November 22, 2016, he was permitted to leave South Africa, but he was not allowed to return.

Our records indicate that Yasiin Bey might be single.
Relationships
Maria Yepes was the first wife of Yasiin Bey.
Karrine Steffans and Yasiin Bey have interacted (2002).

He was born Dante Smith and performs as Yasiin Bey, a rapper, actor, and political activist. He and Talib Kweli make up the duo Black Star, and he has had significant roles in a number of films and TV productions, including The Italian Job, Be Kind Rewind, and Dexter. With his first spouse Maria Yepes, whom he wed in 1996, he had two daughters named Jauhara and Chandani. After that, he wed the model Alana Wyatt in 2005, but they soon divorced.

Advertisement

Yasiin Networth

Yasiin Bey is said to have an estimated net worth of around $1.5 million which he made from record sales and his various acting roles.

Read Also:

Actor

Richard Denning: A Versatile Actor Who Served in the Navy

Published

on

Richard Denning was an American actor best known for his performances in science fiction films of the 1950s, such as Unknown Island (1948), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Target Earth (1954), Day the World Ended (1955), Creature with an Atom Brain (1955), Creature With Atom Brain (1955) and The Black Scorpion (1957). Additionally he co-starred alongside Cary Grant in An Affair to Remember (1957) as well as Lucille Ball on radio with My Favorite Husband (1957). But prior to becoming famous actor Richard Denning served on submarines during World War II as well.

Early Life and Education

Richard Denning

Richard Denning

Denning was born Louis Albert Heindrich Denninger Jr. on March 27, 1914, in Poughkeepsie, New York and relocated with his family 18 months later to Los Angeles where he attended Manual Arts High School before going on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Woodbury Business College – but later found greater passion in acting than garment manufacturing business management.

Military Service and Acting Career

Denning joined the United States Navy during World War II and served on submarines as Yeoman 1st Class. According to Denning himself, his military service disrupted his acting career; following discharge it took 18 months until Paramount Pictures offered more acting work – during this period his family lived in a mobile home that alternated between Malibu and Palm Springs as they resided temporarily within its confines.

Denning found relief from his unemployment when he was cast opposite Lucille Ball on radio in My Favorite Husband, broadcast by CBS from July 23, 1948 through March 31, 1951 on CBS Radio and eventually turned into television sitcom I Love Lucy. While CBS wanted Denning as her husband in this groundbreaking television sitcom, Lucille insisted upon using Desi Arnaz instead – although CBS wanted Denning as well!

Advertisement

Radio success led him to a role on CBS television’s adaptation of Mr. and Mrs. North; on television he appeared as Ding Howe of Ding Howe and the Flying Tigers and Dr. Greg Graham from The Flying Doctor (1959). Additionally he appeared as Michael Shayne (200A685) from 1960-1961 while sharing title billing with Barbara Britton as Mr. and Mrs. North (1964-69)

Stay tuned to Centralfallout for the latest scoops and updates of Latest News, Trending NewsTechnology NewsWorld News and Entertainment News.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Actor

Ryan Grantham: The Rise and Fall of a Teenage Actor

Published

on

Ryan Grantham was an award-winning Canadian actor best known for playing Jeffery Augustine on Riverdale, as well as appearing in other shows and movies such as Supernatural, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Unfortunately, however, Ryan Grantham’s career abruptly came to a halt after being charged with killing his mother in 2020 and plead guilty to second-degree murder with no parole eligibility until 14 years had elapsed – this article will explore both Ryan Grantham’s life and career – from humble beginnings to tragic downfall.

Early Life and Career

Ryan Grantham

Ryan Grantham

Ryan Grantham was born August 26th 1998 in Squamish, British Columbia Canada but the exact date is currently unavailable. His older brother Ryan Jr is also an actor. Ryan began acting at an early age before enrolling at Simon Fraser University for higher studies. At 9 years old he made his television debut as Billy in The Secret of the Nutcracker and featured in commercials and short films as well.

Ryan made waves when he auditioned for Riverdale, the popular CW network show based on Archie Comics characters. Ryan won his audition and soon after appeared as Jeffery Augustine, son of Alice Cooper (Madchen Amick) and Reggie Mantle (Mark Consuelos) who became friends with Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) and Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes). Ryan appeared in one episode in 2019 that was widely applauded both by fans and critics alike.

Ryan also had roles in other shows and movies, such as Supernatural where he played Bobby Singer’s son; Diary of a Wimpy Kid where he played Rodney James; The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus where he played Neil; Falling Skies where he was Alex; Izombie where he was Nick; Liz where he was Matt; The Carpenter’s Miracle where he was Michael – among many more!

Advertisement

Murder Case

On March 31st 2020, Ryan sent shockwaves through the world when he surrendered himself to Vancouver police after killing his mother Barbara Waite (64), located north of Vancouver at their home. Ryan admitted shooting her in the back of her head while she was playing piano, as well as plotting against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Molotov cocktails and camping supplies he planned on transporting via truck to Ottawa from their Vancouver residence.

Ryan used a Go-Pro camera after shooting his mother to film her body while explaining that it was him responsible. Following hours of drinking beer and smoking marijuana after the murder, he packed his car with three guns, ammunition, and 12 Molotov cocktails that he made himself before driving some 200 kilometers east toward Hope before turning around and returning back home.

Next day, Ryan drove himself to a police station where he informed an officer: “I killed my mother.” Police searched his car and discovered several weapons along with camping supplies and directions to Trudeau’s Rideau Cottage residence. Additionally, evidence suggested he was planning an act of mass violence at Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge or Simon Fraser University before turning himself in.

Advertisement

On June 15th 2022, Ryan entered a plea of guilty for second-degree murder against Canadian law. Prosecutors stated that killing one individual already constitutes murder under Canadian law due to its ability to cause death or serious injury, while showing no remorse or empathy towards his mother or others who might have been affected by his actions.

Sentencing

On September 23rd 2022 at British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver by Justice David Lameman, Ryan received a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 14 years due to his mental health issues and subsequent risk of reoffending.

At trial, Ryan’s lawyers asserted that he had suffered from anxiety and clinical depression since childhood, with suicidal thoughts expressed multiple times before killing his mother. Furthermore, substance abuse, bullying at school, family difficulties, financial challenges and isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions all were likely contributing factors.

Advertisement

However, prosecutors disputed these allegations and provided evidence which contradicted them. According to them, Ryan had shown no indications of mental illness or distress before or after killing his mother and no outside influences other than anger towards authority figures such as teachers or police had any significant bearing on his decisions.

Stay tuned to Centralfallout for the latest scoops and updates of Latest News, Trending NewsTechnology NewsWorld News and Entertainment News.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Actor

Pedro Armendáriz: A Gentleman with Passion, Force and Acting Abilities

Published

on

Pedro Armendariz was one of Latin America’s most beloved and versatile actors during the 20th century, appearing in more than 140 films both in Mexico and America and winning multiple awards for them. Furthermore, his charisma, elegance, and talent charmed audiences across both continents; we will explore his life, career and legacy here.

Early Life and Education

Pedro Armendariz

Pedro Armendariz

Pedro Armendariz was born May 9, 1912, to a Mexican father and American mother and had one cousin who also became an actress: Gloria Marin. As both his parents passed away when he was only nine years old, he went to live with his uncle until attending Polytechnic Institute of San Luis Obispo (CA) to study business and journalism before returning home as a graduate to work as a railroad employee, insurance salesperson and tourist guide before eventually taking up acting himself in Mexico City as well.

He discovered his passion for acting after recreating Hamlet’s soliloquy to an American tourist at a cafeteria. Soon thereafter he met director Miguel Zacarias who cast him in several movies; director Emilio Fernandez served as both mentor and partner on numerous productions; together with Dolores del Rio and Maria Felix they formed one of Mexico’s legendary couples of cinema.

Career Highlights

Armendariz made his cinematic debut as Pancho Villa in Soy puro mexicano (1942) directed by Emilio Fernandez and quickly went on to star in many more films that displayed his versatility as an actor, such as indigenous people, peasants, revolutionaries, cowboys, bandits, soldiers, spies, lovers, fathers, sons, brothers, friends and so forth. Some notable films with which Armendariz worked include;

Advertisement
  • Maria Candelaria (1943), directed by Emilio Fernandez and winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival to launch Armendariz as a superstar.
  • Las Abandonadas (1944), directed by Emilio Fernandez and featuring Dolores del Rio as Armendariz’s love interest.
  • Bugambilia (1944), directed by Emilio Fernandez and based on a novel by Jorge Ibarguengoitia about two brothers fighting over land ownership.
  • La Malquerida (1949), directed by Emilio Fernandez and co-produced by Armendariz and Dolores del Rio was another collaboration.
  • Enamorada (1946), directed by Emilio Fernandez and featuring Maria Felix as Armendariz’s love interest.
  • Maclovia (1948) directed by Emilio Fernandez was adapted from a novel written by Jorge Ibarguengoitia about two brothers fighting over their land.
  • Armendariz made her Hollywood debut with The Pearl (1947, directed by John Ford), marking the beginning of his Hollywood career.
  • John Ford directed The Black Pirate (1944), in which Armendariz played an adventurer searching for treasure.
  • John Ford directed – The Uprooted Ones (1959). Armendariz played an American soldier who falls for a Mexican woman during World War II.
  • John Ford directed and James Stewart starred in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Lee Marvin played Liberty Valance, an outlaw who is shot dead after refusing to reveal the identity of his accomplice and thus becoming victim to Liberty Valance’s deadly plans.

Personal Life

Armendariz married Carmelita Bohr in 1938 after meeting her at Zacarias’ studio. Together they had two sons: Pedro Jr. who followed in his father’s footsteps into acting; and Carlos Eduardo Jr. who eventually went into engineering.

Armendariz suffered from cancer while shooting From Russia with Love (1963). To accommodate him and ensure that his salary reached his family on time, production schedules were adjusted so he could complete scenes quickly so they would receive their pay check on time.

Armendariz died on June 18th 1963 at 51 years of age from self-inflicted gunshot wounds he gave himself.

Stay tuned to Centralfallout for the latest scoops and updates of Latest News, Trending NewsTechnology NewsWorld News and Entertainment News.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending