Brother Ali recently dropped his ninth album, bringing another load of salt to the Minneapolis underground scene. Our boy Ali, with a past as an activist and battle emcee, has completely established himself as a go-to name within hip-hop through releases like "Shadows in the Sun" in 2003 and "The Undisputed Truth" in 2007. And whether we can forget his other projects such as "Us," "Mourning in America & Dreaming in Color" and "All the Beauty in This Whole Life." From his first EP "Champion," his mixtape "Left in the Deck" to "Secrets & Escapes" with Evidence at the controls, Ali's discography is by no means sparse.
Let's talk about the latest masterpiece. The title track immediately serves up those rap rock vibes, and Ali clearly shows that he is in control of his own destiny. "Deep Cuts" in turn feels like a dope piano track about love always coming his way and God as the eternal and unchanging one. "Higher Learning at the Skyway" brings back the guitars, while "Drum" invites you to gather around the instrumental campfire with its gospel style. Each song deserves to be listened to with a nice glass of salt, as it lifts the whole vibe to the next level.
In "The Counts," Ant comes in with a funky beat so Ali can address the people who continually write him off. He talks in "Cast Aside" about how hard it is to express everything he feels. The song "Ocean of Rage" shines with a jazzy boom bap sound and makes it clear that Ali is at his best in the evening, when the moon shines and the cool breeze has its say. And although "Under the Stars" says you can't always do what you want without support, he continues to walk his own path.
Then when we get to "Personal," Ali reverts to a simple, pure sound where he doesn't take too many things personally and promises to let you know if anything changes on his end. With "2 Dudes," the city comes back into the picture for a while with pianos lifting the mood. "Better But Us" sounds soulful and discusses how to improve more than just his relationship with his partner, with the two constantly arguing. "Name of the One," on the other hand, celebrates the rays of sunshine casting praise on Ali.
"Immortalized" comes with pianos and Ali elevating himself to street preacher, while "Head Heart Hands" talks about the balance between those three elements. The summer track "Mysterious Things" explores the strange world of people, and "Handwriting" talks about how some dreams that once seemed impossible are now within reach. The final track, "Sing Myself Whole," is the perfect conclusion, showcasing his singing talents and reflecting on loneliness.
Ali doesn't just throw salt this time, he pours out a whole sea with this piece of art. It's his first step into the Mello Music Group family, and what a one. Ant's beats still feel nostalgic as ever, with well-known warm crunching vinyl vibes and haunting rhythms that transport you to America's forgotten record stores. Ali's lyrics are astute, spiritual and full of self-reflection that make you think and always maintain that hopeful tone. His first marble piece with Mello Music Group is worth a solid 9/10, and perhaps his most complete album to date.
If you are wondering if Brother Ali can continue to grow, he has given you the answer with this album: absolutely. This work is not just a musical trip, but a journey through thoughts and a granted glimpse into Ali's soul. A truly salty experience you don't want to miss! So, what do you think? Is Brother Ali good for even more salt?
#hhz #houhet salt #hiphop #brotherali #satisfiedsoul #nlhiphop #rap
