Let me first start by saying my fiancee loved Brother Ali waaay more than I did, waaay before I respected him at all. Years ago listening to his fourth studio album, "The Undisputed Truth" she'd be bobbing her head and humming along the way she does, and I'd just be sitting there like "who's this guy??" Since I like to credit myself a bit for attempting to refine her listening palate I kind of laughed to myself, like of every group and individual I tried to expose her to this is the guy she latched onto?? Well now I look back and laugh at myself, thinking I should've been refining my palate to her taste because somehow Ali has crept into the top 10 of my (proverbial) favorite MC list and even higher on my respected human being list. I should apologize to Rhymesayers, Ali, and the whole of the hip hop community (and possibly even my woman) for ever doubting this man.
Assuming all apologies are accepted I must break down his newest album "Us" since it has crept in as my favorite album of 2010 thus far (the album was actually released in fall of 2009). "Us", which was originally going to be released under the name of a title track "The Preacher" does not diverge from Ali's formula of discussing what he knows with a strong confidence in his crafted talent. More importantly he continues to emphasize what I deem to be most the most important element in lyrics and messages today... TRUTH.
"The Preacher", which is the first song on the album, is a track that begins with Ali saying, "hit me hard now!" and from that point on the album doesn't soften until the final bell. Right away Ali directs us to the truth of his lyrics and life reminding us,
"If you know me you know I love my family, love my God, before I knew either I loved my art. So I'm married to the pen 'til death do us part..."
And I personally hope death is a far cry away for Ali, who throughout the song has a mic presence that has a confident arrogance surrounded by a neighborly hospitality that makes you cling to his every word so much you can't even notice your head nodding uncontrollably to the Ant (Atmosphere) produced track.
"Street preacher,
say you don't what these people teach? well me neither,
He who follows his dream is deemed leader."
Yes indeed, everything he speaks on is really true.
"Fresh Air"
If there was ever a song that conveyed true contentment and joy in life, it would no doubt be "Fresh Air."
"I'm the luckiest son of a b* that ever lived,
I spend life doing s* I love,
Got the world's most beautiful kids,
And don't nobody do it like us"
Not only does he celebrate where he is, he reflects on where he came from.
"Not two years ago I was homeless,
I mean crashing on the couch of my homies,
Now I'm crashing on the couch with Conan,
Signed a mortgage and bought my own s*"
Even if you're well off or in a better situation than Ali, somehow he makes you feel jealous, depressed, and excited all at the same time. All the while you just want to pat him on the back and say, good job man, you're really doing it. Again, all he manages to do on a bouncy track is glorify his wife and children while showing his gratitude for where he's at in life. Nothing flashy, just truth and true feeling on wax.
Whether a sobering song like "Tight Rope" or a storytelling track like "House Keys" where Ali discusses living in an apartment complex with a drug dealer and eventually stealing his stash, the man who is a preacher in the studio does not hold back. My favorite song on the album "Best@It" has two other very well respected veterans in the hip hop game, Joell Ortiz and fellow Rhymesayer Freeway lacing the mic. A very high energy track in which Ali flexes his supreme versatility and delivers my favorite line in the whole album:
"I'm sorry there can only be one champ around here...
I am not a peer, I'm up here, you're down there."
Aye! Bold statement by someone who is prepared to back it up, and who I believe does so with each track on "Us". Not only does Ali continue to build a solid body of work, he does so in a way that sends a message to everyone who hears. A positive, truthful message which gives a window to his life and heart while including everyone in his journey... reminding the public that, "There is no me and you, it's just us."
If you want to hear all of the album and support real music... you know what to do!
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