The Undisputed Truth - Brother Ali (2007)
Ideated from: a favorite album that starts with “U”. Just finishing this up
There are artists I really enjoy listening to, and then there are artists I actively root for. Brother Ali and I have never met, we probably have little in common, but I feel like he’s an old friend. His music is so confessional and so relentlessly forward-thinking that I can’t imagine listening to him and not being moved.
His quest for meaning and truth runs through Islam, which I admittedly don’t know a lot about. But he presents a very appealing version of it, geared to self-improvement and being worthy of the life he’s been given.
He is albino, which is partially what gives him such an interesting take on race. He identifies with black culture and hip hop even if he’s not genetically a part of it.
He’s also a truly talented MC, which is really just a testament to what an interesting human being he is that the fact that he’s got one of the best flows you’ll ever hear only gets mentioned as the 4th item on this list.
A quick aside on this record: I’ve been listening to hip hop since the late 80s, but three of my all time favorite hip hop records all came out within a few months of each other in 2007. This one, Aesop Rock’s None Shall Pass, and EL-P’s last pre-Run-The-Jewels solo record, I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead. The combo rearranged my brain pretty thoroughly and they’ve stuck with me.
Tracks I Liked
Lookin At Me Sideways - One of his many statements of purpose. Autobiographical and real
Truth Is - When he turns his attention away from his internal struggles and onto external ones, he shines just as bright. He even manages to make industry-standard rap braggadocio sound good.
Daylight - joyous and serious and industriously progressive, like his music often is. Lays out his interesting views on race very well.
Here - One of the best “make yourself better” tracks I’ve ever heard, with a harrowing dose of self-honesty and resolve. The line about “ego when it’s loud, self-hatred when it’s quiet” cuts me to the bone.
