Contributed by Lucas DiGia on 1/23/08

The crowd stood up for Mos Def and the Big Band when they left the stage, giving him and the band a standing ovation in return for an encore. Before the band took the stage again, concert-goers watched as Lester Mons, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, took the mike with Mos Def at his side. Plaque in hand, he offered Mos Def the “King, Chavez, Parks Visiting Professor Award.”

According to the official website for the Provost of the University, This is an award given to an individual that “contributes to the intellectual diversity of the campus by providing guest faculty with diverse points of view and experiences.” The description also explains that while “some Visiting Professors have traditional scholarly backgrounds; others may be outstanding performers or practitioners in their fields.”

Before the last song, Mos encouraged the audience to call him as “Professor Def.”

RELATED CONTENT

• • Review: Mos Def Big Band J Dilla Tribute Show

  • Mos Def In New Romantic Movie ‘Bobby Zero’

  • Mos Def Talks Politics [allhiphop.com]

  • Mos Def, Rihanna Star In ‘Mama Black Widow’ [allhiphop.com]

  • Mos Def concert to celebrate producer J Dilla [detnews.com]