Interview: Brother Ali Shares The Undisputed Truth

Brother Ali is one of the newest and most unique hip-hop artists to come out of the Rhymesayers camp. He is an orthodox Muslim rapper who happens to be Albino. With the help of Atmosphere producer ANT, Ali's latest disc, "The Undisputed Truth" is a masterful blend of soul influenced beats and heavy and introspective rhymes. Ali lets you in on all aspects of his life. He rhymes and waxes poetic on his divorce, his contemplation of suicide and on being a single parent. He does it all with a sense of wit and lyrical finesse not seen in the mainstream rap world.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brother Ali and I got his take on the state of affairs in mainstream and indie hip-hop.

Associated Content: How did you first get into hip-hop? Who were your earliest influences?
Brother Ali: I got into break dancing as a little kid and from there I got into the music. My earliest influences were Slick Rick and UTFO. By the late 80's I was listening to KRS-ONE, Rakim and Chuck D. I really started to see the true potential of this music and I got into the lifestyle.

AC: How did you finally become an MC?
BA: Well I was born in Wisconsin and raised in Michigan. When I turned fifteen I moved to Minneapolis and I just really got into hip-hop. I started rhyming and my friend at the time who is now my dj (BK-ONE) started a college radio show that only played underground hip-hop. BK-ONE is the person who introduced me to the Rhymsayers and that's how I hooked up with them.

AC: Mainstream rap stations have not picked up on what is happening with regards to the Rhymesayeres and the hip hop scene in Minnesota so how are you getting your music heard?
BA: Atmosphere has had the most success with their model. I have just tried to follow their model and so have the other artists on the label. We tour relentlessly!! We play everywhere!! We do EVERY interview! We sell merchandise at all of our shows. We use the internet and college radio. The alternative rock market opened up for us and that has helped a lot. The indie rock kids love Atmosphere. The punk rock kids dig POS and all of that has helped me!

AC: I have interviewed many artists from the Rhymesayers community and asked this same question, what is your take on what is happening in mainstream hip hop? Does the genre need to take a critical look at itself?
BA: Let me say this, when folks over criticize mainstream rap I think it's an opinion coming from folks who are very new to hip hop! I don't have a problem with mainstream rap. Folks who criticize need to look at it in the proper context! We are forging new territory in hip hop...we are talking about things that are very personal. Our fans (who tend to criticize mainstream rap) are so new to hip hop, they don't have the context of where this music comes from. I think we get exaggerated on a little bit... we get called "geniuses" but our audience is very new to this genre.

AC: Slug (from Atmosphere) has told me that he feels that it is important to educate his audience on the roots of hip hop. Do you feel the same way?
BA: Definitely!! It is very important to me to educate my audience about what this music is and where it comes from. I fell in love with this music when it was one community. There were different facets of the music back then but it was ONE community. In many ways we are trying to bring that aspect of community back to the culture.

AC: So you feel maybe folks are too hard on mainstream rap a little too much? Is that what I am hearing?
BA: Look right now everyone is critical of Soulja Boy. I know Soulja Boy and I know that kids like him!!! He speaks to a young audience and he has made it by doing things on his own terms! He got support from kids his age, he used the internet, and you tube. It may not be my favorite music but he is the epitome of DIY (do it yourself) and he is a million selling artist!! He is indie hip hop even though he is not considered an indie rapper.

AC: So in your opinion mainstream hip-hop is ok and not in need of any type of change?
BA: Hmm...I have a seven year old son and there are certain songs and artists I don't want him listening to. I also have seen that there is a separation in hip hop. We have segregated ourselves. The mainstream pop/the hard core/and the indie artists are all in separate camps now. Other than that, I really don't have time to blame or blast artists for expressing themselves.

AC: You recently did a tour with Ghostface Killah. That was one of the first times I have seen a Rhymesayers artist tour with someone outside of the indie rap camp. Is the goal to make that happen more?
BA: That tour was great. His fans had no idea who I was (HA!!) but it was great. I have to say I am more at ease with a hardcore hip hop audience than with an audience filled with indie rock kids. You kind of have to tell those kids what to do!! The hope is that more tours like that can happen. You just have to have the pedigree to talk to these folks. We need to have an understanding of what they are about and how to represent with them. That's the only way it can happen.

AC: The subject of your race has come up a few times. You have told folks that you are indeed White but everything you have learned in life you have learned from an African American perspective. Break this down for me. What does this mean?
BA: The ideas, feelings, thoughts, knowledge and skill set that I have adopted have all come from an African American perspective since I was seven years old. It's just the way I have grown up.

AC: I know you are on tour right now but what can we expect from Bother Ali this summer?
BA: I am out headlining clubs right now and there is some really great stuff getting set up with the Rhymesayers this summer but I can't speak on it now!

If you want to see new original hip hop in action, check out Brother Ali on tour!