Brother Ali stumps snarky blogger

Jan 23, 2007

Brother Ali stumps snarky blogger · by Sach O

Be Careful what you wish for…

A few weeks ago, I put up a rhetorical list of things I wanted out of a rap album in 2007. Essentially it amounted to an old school Native Tongues release, something that Black Sheep or De La Soul would have dropped in 91 crossed with a slightly tougher crew such as the Beatnuts. I expected some debate surrounding the 15 demands I put up but what I didn’t expect was for an album to fill 13 of those demands and yet come through with a totally unique and surprising sound.

So yeah, I’m eating crow: by any reasonable standards and by my own admission, Brother Ali’s The Undisputed Truth sums up what I want in a 2007 rap record. With the exception of a successful club track (a forgivable absence) and the fact that he explicitly dramatizes his life (an inevitable trait of modern rap I guess) Ali has filled every single requirement that I’d laid down for a good rap album this year and he’s done it in a way that seems so natural and effortless that it’s hard not to stand in awe and wonder how the hell it happened.

Admittedly, this isn’t completely out of left field: while the critics were goin nuts over The Love Below and The Black Album in 2003 I was praising Brother Ali’s debut as the best album of the year. Unfortunately, his prolonged absence from recording (minus 04’s quickie Champion EP) somewhat pushed him out of mind, particularly in an age where Lil Wayne is considered a good writer. With the advent of The Undisputed Truth however, hopefully Ali gets enough recognition and attention to ensure his place as a permanent fixture of today’s rap scene. Lord knows we can’t afford another 3 year wait for his next shit.

Starting off with the intense Watcha Got, the album dispenses with the bravado, posturing and crowd moving early on, before concentrating on Ali’s beefs with the rap industry, the government, his ex wife, himself and life in general. A brutally honest record that somehow manages to squeeze even more blood, sweat and tears out of Ali’s life than his masterful debut, a rare feat amongst rappers; The Undisputed Truth starts strong and never really lets up with each subsequent cut building on the last. From the gospel singing on Puzzle to the bitter riddim on Freedom ain’t Free to the swaggering G-Funk of the album ending Ear to Ear, Ali and producer Ant surround the masterful raps with more musical ideas than half BET’s top 10 combined. Drawing inspiration from the wanderer’s blues, Rastafarian protest songs, Organized Noise’s sparse funk and New York’s crate digging aesthetic, the album features a fully developed vibe of its own, varied but unified in its rootsiness. Lyrically, Ali is on the top of his game delivering material that treads the fine line between Ice Cube’s anger, Kane’s swagger, Slug’s emotional honesty and an early Andre’s down-home pessimism. The resulting combination is a uniquely Midwestern album, one concerned with day to day living in an age of government intervention and broken hearts. The combination of sheer virtuosity and uncontrolled intensity Ali is best known for astounds, but he’s just as comfortable shuffling out of an awkward situation, schooling cats about his work ethic and even coming to terms with happiness. At a time where most rappers are one trick ponies, it’s hard to find much to complain about when Ali’s on the mic.

I could probably go on for ages, and will continue to do so as the album’s release date approaches. I’ve already waited a few weeks before posting this to allow for time and perspective to dull my enthusiasm, but the album grows with each listen rather than fades: a feature that will keep it in rotation long past its official release.

Which is April 10th incidentally. And if you’re one of the impatient types that doesn’t want to feel guilty about downloading it, it’s available for an incredible 12.99 pre-order over at the Fifth Element. Go Cop it.

Comments for "Brother Ali stumps snarky blogger"

[sigh]...
white rapper this, white rapper that…

— extra p that sat by the door Jan 23, 10:27 PM
Well, technically, albino freak of nature rapper this, albino freak of nature rapper that…

I saw the advance to “acquire”, but held off for the retail to come out. I am now veeeeery tempted to download this.

— Train Jan 23, 10:29 PM
My only memory of Brother Ali to date was getting violently ill two songs into the set and deciding I’d rather go home than stay for the rest. To be fair that wasn’t the music’s fault, but I can’t say I was captivated enough to fight through it and stay for the rest. Hopefully this new album is ill even if you’re feeling ill.

— DJ Flash Jan 24, 05:26 AM
This is better than the Champion EP? That’s one of my favourite EPs in recent memory (in hip-hop) and I think it’s even better than Shadows on the Sun. I eagerly await my promotional copy of The Undisputed Truth.

— Renato Pagnani Jan 24, 09:09 PM
“Andre’s down-home pessimism”

well put

— eric Feb 16, 06:13 PM
The Undisputed Truth is just that, songs from the most sincere hip hop artist in the game. Deserves every bit of credit and has the stage presence to back it all up. He stole the last Atmosphere show at Irving Plaza with the entire crowd chanting “Ali” for 5 minutes strong. Haven’t seen anybody do that in the longest. Cant wait till the return of the truth.

— ultseventythree Feb 25, 04:09 AM
Incredible album but not as dope as Shadows on The Sun.

— Jaz Apr 5, 10:04 AM
i got the album ysterday, and ive been listenin to it all day, its incredible

— goose May 20, 10:18 PM
Tramadol , http://groups.google.com/group/tramadolhcl

— Natalia Nov 19, 10:03 AM