It was quite strange in that everytime I mentioned that I was going to see Mos Def, the person I was talking to tended to respond with, "Does he rap as well?" Weirdly Def is seen more as an actor - though I have a suspicion mainly for his turn as Ford Prefect in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy than great supporting roles in Monster's Ball and The Woodsman?

Clearly people have been missing out on one of the key hip-hop talents of the last decade or so, from his early work with De La Soul and in Black Star with Talib Kweli to 1999's celebrated Black on Both Sides (not forgetting his guest spots on Scritti Politti's underrated Anomie & Bonhomie). Since then records like The New Danger and True Magic were less well received - so perhaps there's a reason why he's become known more as an actor than rapper? The work with Green Gartside possibly lead to the blues/rock directions of Black Jack - which certainly created that, "I love his early fun work" vibe.

Last year's The Ecstatic was certainly a highlight and major return to form, as strangely was Raekwon's sequel to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - odd that rappers who could be seen as having peaked returned on such form. Based on The Ecstatic alone, Mos Def's brief UK tour was something I had to see.

Some hip-hop gigs are downright bad - horrors of brief sets from associates of the Wu-Tang Clan (rather than an actual Clan member) being typical. The initial support band was dire, an acid-jazz flashback that sent me to the bar to purchase over-priced and fairly undrinkable alcohol from the O2 people (£3.90 for a pint of Tuborg that tasted something like an elderly man would emit?). Slowly the place was packed and the diverse crowd were suitably warmed up by the DJ playing chestnuts from The Beastie Boys, Malcolm McClaren, and Method Man.

Finally, Mos Def appeared through the side-door and went straight into rap mode - though fairly relaxed and giving a reggae-delivery as he tipped his hat to the audience. By the time 'Supermagic' (which probably should have been played a second time as the sound wasn't quite right!) and 'Twilite Speedball' were delivered, Mos Def had the crowd in his hands. Though this can be quite embarrassing when you see Caucasian folk who resemble a cast-member of Skins bustin' a move - I almost thought of that line about baseball-caps by The Libertines!

The set list tapped into most of Mos Def's career pre-The Ecstatic - a relentless almost industrial series of beats drilled out behind him suggesting that the Throbbing Gristle t-shirt I was wearing was kind of apt. Def's banter to the audience didn't get too preachy and he amusingly pointed out they didn't do set lists, "but had done this thing before" before dropping straight into The Ecstatic's highlight 'Casa Bey.'

I did wonder if he's peaked too early - though material from Black Star and Black on Both Sides ('Umi Says') turned up later, as did a tribute to the recently departed McClaren (a nod to The Clash also) and some of old school anthem 'The Message' . Def went back towards Black Jack territory when he took the drums up for a lengthy take on 'Quiet Dog Bite Hard', the simplistic drumming reminding me of Neu's Klaus Dinger - though by the end the clatter suggested he probably should be playing with The Boredoms. But it was material from The Ecstatic that rightfully dominated - 'Life in Marvellous Times', 'The Embassy', 'Revelations', 'Priority', 'Pretty Dancer' - all concluding with an instrumental take on 'Roses' where Def handed out roses to various sassy ladies.

Reports of gigs later on the tour have been less than positive, but tonight's performance was blistering stuff representing a great album and dipping into various points in Mos Def's career. Based on tonight, his performance at Glastonbury will be one to catch - even if Noel Gallagher decides that it's wrong for that hallowed festival. With any luck, you might miss Muse or U2!