Yasiin Bey Addresses Arrest, Announces Retirement

Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, is speaking out after being detained in South Africa for attempting to leave the country last week using a “world passport.”

Thanks to his pal Kanye West, the rapper-actor was able to share a special audio message on KanyeWest.com addressing the issues. He discusses his arrest (“I committed no crime any place / Why these police up in my face?”) and even announces his intentions to leave the industry.

He starts off the 10-minute message with a freestyle on which he references Kanye’s new songs, “Real Friends” and “No More Parties in LA.” “No more parties in SA,” he says, and thanks Kanye for being a “real friend.”

He claims he’s being prevented from leaving South Africa, and that authorities want to deport his family. He also says that the “world passport” is “not a fictitious document.” “It is not meant to deceive,” he says. “To quote Lil Durk, I am not a liar.”

The 43-year-old rapper was arrested at Cape Town International Airport on Thursday (Jan. 14) for violating local immigration laws and faces a ban up to five years. However, he may appeal to officials for leniency.

“I have reason to believe or suspect that there are political motivations behind the way that I’m being treated because this is following no reasonable strand of logic and it’s curious,” he adds. “I haven’t broken any law and I’m being treated like a criminal.”

He also makes a shocking announcement about his career. “I’m retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today, and also from Hollywood, effective immediately. I’ll be releasing my final album this year. And that’s that.”