New Music: Dec. 99th (Yasiin Bey & Ferrari Sheppard) - 'Hymn'

Yasiin Bey returns.

Nearly eight months after announcing his retirement, the MC formerly known as Mos Def is back with a “Hymn” as one half of Dec. 99th, his duo with Ferrari Sheppard.

Delivering a steady and rhythmic flow with a somber tone, Bey rhymes about life and death. “This is what death can’t kill,” he raps. “This is what death can’t kill: life.”

Later, he also offers a powerful question that could relate to the way death is seen online following tragedies. “How many views when the blood ooze?” he asks. “I’m confused.”

“Hymn” was delivered via TIDAL with a message. “Condolences to the families of the slain,” it reads. “Never stop pursuing freedom.”

Released through the music service for members and non-members alike, “Hymn” follows Dec. 99th’s June single “Local Time.” It also follows the aforementioned January retirement.

“I’m retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today, and also from Hollywood, effective immediately,” Bey wrote in a message. “I’ll be releasing my final album this year. And that’s that.”

Listen to Dec. 99th’s “Hymn” below.