Carmen: A Hip Hopera is a 2001 American made-for-television musical romance drama film produced by MTV and directed by Robert Townsend. The film stars Beyoncé Knowles in her debut acting role
Mos Def released a solo album, Black on Both Sides, which had a jazzy, R&B flavor. The releases heightened Mos Def's notoriety and established him as a socially conscious, introspective, and insightful rap artist.