Following on from news of Maxwell’s exclusive sideshow at The Enmore, Soulfest has announced more exciting news: hip-hop prophet, acclaimed actor and performance artist Yasiin Bey, aka Mos Def, is set to play a show on October 20.

If a major neo-soul headline didn’t get your attention, then perhaps this will. With a discography spanning more than 20 years, Mos Def has gone from being one of the biggest underground hip-hop acts of the ’90s to being one of the most respected names in the music industry.

“Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star” might seem like a lifetime ago, but the socially and politically inspired lyricist’s flow remains timeless, with the duo set to recreate the indie-rap album live, as part of the US traveling rap festival, Rock the Bells – along with a host of others like Raekwon, Ghostface and Mobb Deep.

The 40-year-old also made headlines recently after a clip went viral of himself chained to a chair whilst having tubes inserted into his nose and being force-fed. The video was hosted by The Guardian, in collaboration with human rights organisation Reprieve and highlights the plight of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, who are being force-fed during hunger strikes.

Tickets go on sale September 10, via Ticketek.

Yasiin Bey, aka Mos Def, Soulfest 2014 sideshow

Monday October 20
Enmore Theatre, Sydney