Many people that love rap music like I do don't just listen to the trendy. Myself in-particular I love to listen to music with a message. It has come to my attention that the people that check us out @ ill-board.com and The Reporter Newspaper really love how we showcase the type of music that really don't get their fair chance in the sun. This type of music is called underground. And for those that don't know rapper Brother Ali is leading the charge in the battle of mindless music.
Brother Ali is hitting the road this fall to celebrate the release of his new album Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color dropping August 21st. Ali will be accompanied by his new band, Blank Tape Beloved, a 5 piece ensemble that incorporates Jake One's thundering drums with a powerhouse horn section, keys and guitar. He'll be joined on the road by Homeboy Sandman, the newest emcee signed to Stones Throw Records as well as The Reminders, a hip- hop duo from Colorado.
Fully recharged and inspired by his eye-opening first trip to Mecca, the 2011 uprisings in the Middle East, and the world wide Occupy movements, Brother Ali is prepared to unveil his fourth full-length offering Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color. Created during a self-imposed two-month exile in Seattle and helmed by platinum-selling producer Jake One (50 Cent, T.I., Wiz Khalifa), the album presents a scathing yet honest critique of America and its many flaws while simultaneously presenting a hopeful outlook of its possibilities. Preceded by the release of free music downloads with accompanying music videos such as “Shine On," "Writer’s Block,” and “Not A Day Goes By," Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color is the pièce de résistance.
In an age of hip-hop where the paradigm of swag over substance reigns supreme, few emcees are willing to use their platform to tackle the hot-button topics and pressing social maladies of our time - but it’s apparent that Minneapolis-based hip-hop artist Brother Ali is one of those few. Over the course of 14 tracks with assists from esteemed author/ professor Dr. Cornel West, revered Southern hip-hop icon Bun B, and Def Poetry Jam poet Amir Sulaiman, the album brazenly holds a mirror to the idiosyncrasies of American life while simultaneously painting a vibrant portrait of its wondrous potential.
Brother Ali has been under pressure from the recording industry due to lyrics from his song "Uncle Sam Goddamn", claiming creative interference from "somebody I don't wanna name, but some of you probably has their cell phones." The unnamed corporation ultimately withdrew its sponsorship of Ali, causing him to truncate parts of his 2007 tour. Furthermore, on the song "Second Time Around" with Benzi and Wale, Ali makes references to being kicked off a tour followed by the line "Verizon dissed me too, cuz I was too political." The song is notably critical of the United States government, with accusations that the political system is addicted to war. But God is good all the time, meaning no-matter how much the powers that be try to silence the truth- it will always come out. So this fall, why not come out and support good music and check out brother Ali at one of his tour dates. Don't forget to pick up his new CD this fall as well. Until the next time, have some fun and get something done.
