Photo credit: Cognito
yasiin bey is reissuing his seminal 2009 record The Ecstatic. It will finally be available to stream (exclusively on Qobuz).
Today, the artist formerly known as Mos Def is announcing a partnership with storied Minneapolis–Saint Paul Hip-Hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment on the long-awaited reissue of The Ecstatic. The album will be available on all physical formats and to stream on Qobuz on August 14.
The physical variants include a deluxe package pressed on double LP 180-gram black vinyl, which also includes a translucent red 7-inch vinyl single featuring previously unreleased tracks “The Size” and “The Tournament.” It comes alongside a 120-page hardcover book with photos by storied Hip-Hop photographer Cognito. The photos document a two-year time period where bey was creating and promoting the original album.
Fans can pre-order the physical edition and stream the album on Qobuz here.
The Ecstatic digital cover.
Image provided by yasiin bey
The Ecstatic — originally released on Downtown Records, 10 years after bey's solo debut, Black on Both Sides — is widely considered a masterpiece. It features a notably global sound, with production by Hip-Hop luminaries like Madlib, J Dilla, Oh No, Preservation, Mr. Flash, Chad Hugo (of The Neptunes), and Georgia Anne Muldrow — as well as key features from the likes of longtime collaborator Talib Kweli and early Hip Hop trailblazer, Slick Rick.
bey's decision to make the record available to stream on Qobuz is a notable decision. The French music streaming and download platform prioritizes high-quality sound — with more than 100 million tracks available to stream in lossless quality. Per a March 2025 independent audit, Qobuz was confirmed as having a payout rate of $0.01873 per stream. To compare, Spotify's payout is between $0.003-$0.005 per stream, according to Chartlex. Amidst controversy over Spotify's payout practices and hosting of I.C.E. recruitment ads on its platform, Qobuz gained industry buzz and has now reached 1.2 million active users.
A longtime critic of music industry practices and rampant consumerism, bey's partnership with Qobuz is a fitting collaboration from an always politically inclined artist.
"Casa Bey" off of The Ecstatic is available to listen to on Youtube below.
