‘The Undisputed Truth’ follows anti-stereotypical artist’s hopeful first release
This April, Brother Ali released his sophomore album, “The Undisputed Truth.” The long-awaited follow-up to 2003’s “Shadows on the Sun,” the album is a 15-track tale of political shortcomings, personal contemplation and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Coming off over 140 live shows in 2006, Ali is one of the most immensely talented wordsmiths in the current underground hip-hop game, earning a massive fan-base with his optimistic lyrics and distinct appearance.
Born albino, Ali’s overweight frame and self-proclaimed outcast status makes his rise as a hip-hop revolutionary that much more impressive. He’s a devout Muslim and the inclusion of Allah and the Koran in many of his songs furthers his place as the anti-stereotypical, undisputed king of lyrical adaptability.
“The Undisputed Truth” begins in classic Brother Ali form with head-swaying beats and a flawless flow of meaningful lyrics.
The first song “Whatcha Got” welcomes Ali back to the game and is an ode to old-school hip-hop giants Eric B. and Rakim. “You’ll never be prominent, face it you’re imitation,” Ali spits, as his genre-appropriate self-promotion comes across as stoic rather than egotistical like many of his pompous cohorts.
The album continues with more personal explanation, “I’m Howard Stern meets Howard Zinn,” he rhymes on “Lookin’ At Me Sideways.” His willingness to share his life story is one aspect of his musical forte that forces his audience to listen to every syllable that floats from his mouth.
The middle of the album finds Ali lamenting his discouragement with the current political climate of the United States. In “Letter From the Government,” he compares the President’s self-preservation to crack peddling and questions his allegiance to a man who sent American youth to war when we didn’t even elect him.
His greatest lyrical achievement is found with “Uncle Sam Goddamn,” which furthermore exploits the inability of our government to tell the truth. This is one of the most brutally honest depictions of politics ever recorded as Ali expresses his disgust about American futility surrounding slavery. “Shit the government’s an addict with a billion dollar a week kill brown people habit,” he says.
In a concerted effort not to alienate his fans, Ali concludes the album with 3 songs that depict internal struggles that have only made him stronger. The beautiful “Walking Away” has a sweet Southern beat with quiet whistling that only Ali could rhyme over. This song is one of the saddest musical documentations about losing the people you love and having to fall down before you can get back up.
“The Undisputed Truth” is a phenomenal album that should be regarded as one of the most complete underground hip-hip achievements since “Midnight Marauders” by A Tribe Called Quest. Brother Ali never left and now, through trials and tribulations, he’s here to stay.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Quincy Moore at quincy.moore@thecampuspress.com.
