Mos Def Is Changing His Name!

Like those before him, Mos Def is retiring his stage name for a new one.

But this name change isn’t just for the sake of restlessness.

It’s for religion.

Born as Dante Smith, the rapper/actor coverted to Islam as a teenager.

More in tune with his spiritual beliefs now we assume, he says he’s not for “any moniker or separation between the self that I see and know myself as.”

So as soon as the infamous year of 2012 rolls around, you can start calling him Yasiin.

The new name pays homage to the Quran as it is the 36th surah (verse) of the book.

This makes us think, how many people wished they could have changed their names as kids?

Did U ever wish U had a different name growing up? What was it?

[Image via Will Alexander/WENN.]