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Brother Ali is a highly respected Hip Hop artist, speaker and activist from Minneapolis, MN. His decade long resume includes six critically acclaimed albums, mentorships with Iconic Hip Hop legends Chuck D and Rakim and performances on late night talk shows with Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon. He’s been the subject of Al-Jazeera and NPR pieces and was a keynote speaker at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Forum. He’s landed coveted press features such as Rolling Stone’s 40th anniversary “Artist to Watch” and Source Magazine’s “Hip Hop Quotables”.
Ali has won the hearts and minds of Hip Hop fans world wide with his intimate song writing, captivating live performances and outspoken stance on issues of Justice and Human Dignity. In 2007, Ali was flagged by The US Department of Homeland Security for his controversial critique of America’s human rights violations in his song/video “Uncle Sam Goddamn”. In the summer of 2012, Ali was arrested in an act of civil disobedience as an organizer of Minnesota’s Occupy Homes movement to defend Twin Cities homeowners from unjust foreclosures.
Brother Ali’s latest album, “Mourning in America” and “Dreaming in Color” is his manifesto on the political, socioeconomic and cultural suffering in modern American life, as well as a declaration of hope and possibility for a brighter future. The album is introduced by Dr. Cornel West.
Brother Ali is currently working on his first literary offering, tackling the topics that are discussed in his speaking engagements and workshops
What are your earliest memories of music?
My Mum (bless her heart) used to play acoustic guitar and sing Cat Stevens & Dionne Warwick songs.
What first got you into Hip Hop?
When I was around 7 years old, the older kids on my block were B-Boys. They had all the best Hip Hop music and taught me what they knew.
Describe the Minneapolis rap scene when you were coming up compared to what it’s like now. Who were some of the pioneers and which artists should we be checking out from there now?
When I was coming up, the DJ’s like Travatron and Disco T were kings. They shaped our community the right way and made sure we were up on the important music. They played on the black radio station KMOJ and at the community centres and rollerskating rinks. The first group I was aware of that really made an impact on me was The Micranots. The scene now has some incredible artists like MaLLy, Greg Grease, The Lioness, Toki Wright, B Dot Croc. The list goes on and on.
As an artist what are the pros and cons of coming out of a non traditional Hip Hop city in the US was it hard to get accepted outside of your hometown?
It’s hard for some Minneapolis artists and a lot of them are all but ignored. I had the tremendous blessing of being embraced by my heroes. Rakim, Brand Nubian, Public Enemy and Ghostface Killah all took me on tour when I was first starting out. Big Daddy Kane has been really supportive. A lot of the younger artists who came up independently have told me that they learned a lot from watching us navigate the industry before it was popular to be indy. I don’t think people really recognize how instrumental Atmosphere have been in shaping indy rap as we know it today. Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick, etc. Those folks are directly linked to what Atmosphere did 10 years before them. I’m fortunate to follow Atmosphere from within their camp at Rhymesayers and benefit directly from their vision and foresight.
What was your first big break as an artist?
There wasn’t one moment and that changed it all. My first DJ, BK-One took me into the college radio station to record some demos. That got me recognition from Siddiq (president of Rhymesayers). Siddiq and Musab of Rhymesayers took me to Ant (producer of Atmosphere) who made my debut album with me. That album made Slug from Atmosphere decide to take me on tour and introduce me to the indy audience. The success from that lead to Rakim taking me on tour and introduce me to the classical Hip Hop audience. All I had to do from there was content to build and be consistent.
How would you describe the Brother Ali sound?
My music is very personal and intimate. This allows me to talk about a variety of subjects including spiritual and political themes without condemning or alienating anyone. Even when people disagree with me, they feel that I’m being sincere so they give me a pass and connect with me. This has become more popular lately, but it wasn’t that way when we started out.
What inspires you to write?
I write about whatever is moving me the most at the time of making music. The big themes in my life show up in the music.
What are your musical influences?
Classic Soul and Golden Era Hip Hop will always be my favorite music. Those are the records that made me know I’m not alone in the world. They showed me that other people feel the way I do and gave me permission to BE.
What do you want the listener to take away from your material?
I want to connect. That’s it. I use to want to be known as one of the best and I still want to honour the craft and the listener with excellence, but my ego for being recognized is almost all gone. I want to benefit people and be benefited by them.
What are your thoughts on the current Hip Hop scene and which new artists are gaining your attention?
I love Kendrick Lamar and I don’t care how cliche that may sound. He’s an enigma and there’s not even a close second to him in terms of hip hop music. Amir Sulaiman is the greatest living poet in the English language, I can’t speak about other languages. I also love Sa Rock, Rapsody, The Reminders, Bambu, and Gregory Porter.
What one thing does Hip Hop need right now?
The entire world is caught up in forms and getting away from roots and meanings. Hip Hop, before it’s anything else, is Black Genius in Folk Music. To break the connection to that legacy is to break the seal on its legitimacy. This doesn’t mean that others can’t participate. African people have never been exclusive. They’re the parents of the world. Humans are their descendants. Sincere people are good children. Insincere people hate their parents and their dependance on them. I have no space in my heart for someone imitating the outward form of Hip Hop without connection to the root and meaning. The people winning Grammys aren’t bad because they’re white, they’re bad because they represent white imitation of black forms without being rooted in meaning. This is why they’re received as colonizers.
The last time you were in Australia it was with Sean Price what are some of the memories you have of him from then?
At the Adelaide airport, we came upon one of those gourmet donut spots that makes works of art out of pastries. He was so impressed that he bought a dozen, but told us he didn’t eat donuts because the frosting hurt his teeth. He spent the next 20 minutes approaching strangers handing out donuts and telling the story. Watching people transform from skeptical and causes of Sean to wonder and joy to be in his presence was such a telling testament to who he was as a person. May The Creator shower him in kindness and mercy and make it easy for his beloved wife and children.
What can people expect from a Brother Ali show?
I rock the house and bare my soul. Take this journey with me.
What’s the best piece of advice ever given to you?
Believe that there is meaning behind all of this, and then do your best to be upright and real.
What does the future hold for Brother Ali?
I’ve been doing more speaking, teaching and writing and I hope my best music is still ahead of me. In the future, I hope to get it right.
What’s your definition of Grindin’?
I was taught to do the basic work first. Prioritize the least glamorous work to protect ourselves from fronting. Doing what’s hardest first and be careful not to get caught up in celebrating. When one job comes to an end and you’ve done everything you can possibly do to perfect it, move right on to the next task. This is advice I’ve yet to implement completely. Pray for me.
Interview by Duggs.
TOUR DATES:
Friday September 11th @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Sunday September 13th @ Laundry Bar, Melbourne
Monday September 14th @ Transit Bar, Canberra