Album Review

Brother Ali – Us

• 16th Nov 2009

It’s fair to say that Brother Ali is a unique proposition as hip-hop artists go. The US rapper kicks things off on his third album with a neat intro skit featuring Chuck D – in the guise of an evangelist – introducing the rapper, and though this kind of egotism is bread and butter stuff for the genre, Ali goes lengths to back up his own hype. First track proper ‘The preacher’ is a demonstration of the artist’s considerable skills, both in lyric and delivery, a frenzied statement of intent that sets a high standard which is consistently met by this record.

Production-wise, Us is a treat too, opting for organic blues and soul-based beats which compliment Ali’s upbeat, often spiritually-inspired, lyricism. There’s something gripping and hugely compelling about Brother Ali’s manic delivery which keeps Us interesting through all 16 tracks, and a notable absence of badass pretension and other thematic clichés keeps the rhymes fresh and convincingly real. Casual listeners may recognise single ‘Fresh air’, and it’s as good a calling card from this album as any, with its infectiously optimistic hook: ‘I love the life I live, my laughter and my tears’. It’s a great number, but matched on either side by similarly hot tracks, which gives you some idea of the quality and strength in depth of this effort.

With Jay-z’s increased superstardom in the UK and growing indie appeal since that Glasto appearance, US hip-hop has undergone something of a credibility revival this side of the pond. Brother Ali is exactly the kind of artist we need now to help chase away the gangsta cliches and highlight the profound artistic merit of the genre; ignore this album at your peril.