Brother Ali never set out to win an audience – only to explain his emotions. Overcoming his own expectations, Ali Newman is the latest and greatest prose slugger at the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers Records. His albino appearance always brought attention to the eyes, but Ali perked ears nationwide with his self-produced debut album, “Rites Of Passage,” in 2000. Assigning Atmosphere producer Ant to the mix, Rhymesayers christened Ali’s indie-acclaim with “Shadows of the Sun” in 2003 and “Champion EP” in 2004.
The “Champion EP” smashed up Midwest hip-hop preconceptions with a sound as rowdy, raw and successful as Atmosphere’s 2002 “Lucy Ford EP.” However, his time outside the studio only further resonated in his recording power, despite being dedicated to raising his toddler son. With more than 500 shows performed, Ali has spat rhymes and kicked beats on the same stage as Rakim and Brand Nubian. But this is still just the beginning for Ali. With a rocking new release and increasing poise, Ali is out to bring the gold back to rap and claim his heavyweight title.
Ali’s newest album, “The Undisputed Truth,” accomplished this tremendous feat, satisfying underground radicals with sentimental scenes and mainstream rap fans with bountiful beats. The album’s premier single, “The Truth Is,” slaps the listener into silence as Ali preludes his story.
“I don’t necessarily mean the truth as one universal way for everyone,” Ali said, “but it’s saying I’m goin’ to be honest and this is goin’ to be music from my feelings.”
Certainly, Ali seems more confident in his lyrics, stretching his rhymes further into personal reflection, as well as political dissent. “Uncle Sam Goddamn” protests with a Parliament-styled hip hop debate, terracing through tenacious lines concerning taxes, war funds and military allegiance. “Letter From the Government” and “Freedom Ain’t Free” reiterate his recently found rebelliousness as Ali flows fundamental statements in the same furious style of Zach De La Rocha and KRS-One.
“Traveling around really lets you see everything,” Ali said. “You notice how other people feel, especially how other [nations] feel about Americans. That really put things like the War in Iraq on my mind.”
While Ali’s lyrics are viciously verbose, Ali’s true skill shines during his lyrical litigation on humanity, injustice and love. Resisting all forms of violence and explaining the irreparable value of an individual being, Ali draws his poetic philosophy from personal experiences and the teachings of the Quran.
“But I don’t try to preach,” Ali said. “A lot of people have been sayin’ that lately, but I think I just mention [Islam] to say what’s goin’ on with me. I think it makes me understand myself as a human being. And, if anything, it shows others the importance of human worth.”
However, Ali is an obvious man of optimism and faith. He not only overcame a depressing divorce and rough times as an albino youth bothered by urban bullies, but he has the strength to reminisce each time he lays a rhyme. “Faheem” is a stand-out example where Ali sings a letter to his beloved son, describing the downfall of his marriage and the justification of his career. Each syllable contains emotional concern as Ali vows to never veer from his role as a father, “You make me the definition of proud/ You taught me what this life was really about.”
But Ali never expected his intimate interactions in his lyrics to create such a following. Simply put, Ali just started telling his story with an uncanny optimism, such as the 2003 hit single, “Forest Whitaker,” which revealed the private
frustrations and hopes of a browbeat albino.
“I didn’t know people would respond the way they did,” he said. “It showed me that people don’t really have to share an experience to share a feeling about something. We can all feel the same thing about certain situations.”
Although Ali blesses rap with an often-outcasted optimism, Ali doesn’t create the catch alone. Ali assembles his deeply introspective, and sometimes depressing, subjects with the beguiling bounce of Rhymesayers beat-brainiac Anthony Davis, aka Ant. Ant combines Ali’s sensitive stories with rioting bass riffs, wailing harmonicas and bluesy guitar squeals. The product is captivating tracks accentuated with distressing, timeless vocals.
“We care a lot about the same things,” Ali said. “The way we talk and interact with each other directly relates to the music. When we make something, it’s just like I’m talkin’ with a friend.”
Ant certainly echoes the sentiment and warmth of Ali’s lyric and voice. Unlike previous Atmosphere compositions, Ant seems to acknowledge blues and R&B rather than rock and metal for his mix-matching with Ali. These combinations refine Ali’s rhythm structures to be full of positive swing and soulful sounds.
“I try to make the most personal and honest music I can make,” Ali said. “I’m really influenced by soul music because it makes you feel something, whether it be pain or love or whatever. I don’t know how to make soul music, but I try to do the same for hip-hop.”
This undisputed champ will be bringing his golden era style of hip-hop to the WOW Hall on Tuesday, May 29th. Joining his rhyming sermons will be Rhymesayers allie Psalm One, the South Chicago native who has been increasing female recognition in underground hip-hop since her 2005 release “The Death of The Frequent Flyer.” For fans of local hip-hop, Eugene’s own Boom Bap Project will open for this particular verbal riot of Rhymesayers.