Kanye West photo by Erez Avissar
Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) was recently arrested in South Africa. Tonight, he shared a message from Cape Town courtesy of Kanye West. Over on KanyeWest.com, you can hear a rap about his situation that references both "No More Parties in L.A." and "Real Friends." "No more parties in S.A.," he says. Listen here.
There's a long post-freestyle message where Yasiin Bey discusses wanting to go home. During that message, he says he is retiring from the music and film industry "effective immediately." He says he will release his final album this year.
Update (1/20, 10:09 a.m.): Bey has been charged with using a false passport and travel document, and with illegally helping his family stay in South Africa, as TMZ reports. He's currently on bail, but will report to court on March 8. Meanwhile, his family has been ordered to leave the country by January 28.
Update (3/8, 10:25 a.m.): Prosecutors have asked for a postponement to finish their investigation, South Africa's News 24 reports. Bey's lawyer reportedly allowed the delay. Bey, who remains out on bail, is due in court next on March 24. Bey was initially rejected from court for not taking off a turban he was wearing, Agence France-Presse reports (via XXL). He reportedly came back later with a loose scarf that enabled security to search him.
