Jul 11, 2026 · Brooklyn, NY

i wasn't going to go to MIKE's Young World. I had just had a really long day, and was pretty tired. i was home, watching the england vs. norway game wrap up. My roommate had some friends over, and one of them got a call. She had also skipped the festival, like me, and her friend was screaming at her that they brought Mos Def out as a surprise special guest. When I heard that, I got out of bed, put a belt on, and CitiBiked 10 minutes to Herbert Von King Park, where the action was, and caught 20ish minutes of Mos Def's performance. I stayed for the next act, who I didn't recognize, and that was the last of the show. The authorities came in to shut it down, and he played another song. It was cool... But anyway, because it was an outdoor concert, I hung around after, in the park, and there was an area where the artists and VIPs were chilling. It was just behind a fence, and lots of "normies" (people without press passes or not friends) were chilling, watching, and observing them all talk and stuff. It was a very relaxed setting. I ended up got a selfie with one of the artists on the label who I honestly didn't recognize, and realized I was standing right next to Mos Def's getaway car. After 15 or 20 minutes, he ends up walking right to the car, I say what's up, say it's a huge honor and it's incredible to meet him, and ask for a selfie. He said I'm a bit selfie-d out, but said he would love to shake my hand. He was such a down-to-earth guy. I thought he was going to get in the car, but he just ended up walking around the park for a while, shaking people's hands very casually, kind of like a prophet. He wasn't dressed like a typical celebrity. You wouldn't know if it was him if you didn't know what he looked like. He was in very casual clothing. And just a very calm soul.