Brother Ali faces a task this fall that will probably bigger than any task any emcee all year... a follow-up to his previous albums. For some rappers, maybe AZ, they release so much music and have such a rich history that a follow-up doesn't mean much - case and point: two albums in two months. Still for other rappers without much expectation, it's still not nearly the task. However, Brother Ali's history of making music alongside arguably one of the greatest hip hop producers ever, Ant of Atmosphere, makes this task increasingly difficult. His first album, Shadows On The Sun was one of the best albums to be released that year and one of the best to ever be released on the storied label of Rhymesayers Entertainment. His sophomore effort "The Undisputed Truth" made waves across the country enough to have him put on tour with legendary emcees Rakim and Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan. If that wasn't already enough, he's now put in several lists as a Top 5 current emcee.
The release of his most recent effort, "Truth Is Here EP" features some new songs and some songs that were thrown on CD Singles and Vinyl as bonus tracks. The EP is 8 tracks deep and Ali addresses so many issues with such eloquence it is tough to digest all of it in one listen. Ant provides the phenomenal production he is so reliable for, and Ali has spans of true incredible lyricism.
The beginning of the album kicks off with Ali discussing what has happened in his past several months since "Undisputed Truth" has dropped. From there he talks about a variety of topics, including things he'd seen as a youngster, the U.S. criminal system and some good ol' trash talking. The album also features a feature by Slug on the song "The Believers."
Out of 8 songs, I only skip one song on a regular basis - Baby Don't Go. I hate the intro of listening to him imagine he is in a bar or club of some kind and he's trying to spit game on some chick by talking about how a girl was staring at him. I can't help but get the visualization that a girl is staring at him because he isn't "easy on the eyes" as Ali himself says. My only other criticism is its length. Sure, it is just an EP, but it is so good that I find myself wishing that there were more songs.
Nonetheless, this one song doesn't take away from the overall feel of the album. It is a virtually flawless album with great repeat quality. Definitely worth the purchase and listen and I look forward to his new album in the coming months. I thought it was supposed to be called "Street Preacher" but I got word that he changed it to "Us."
Best Verse: 2nd verse on "Little Rodney" Possibly the best verse of the year, here is a short portion:
"It's madness that you speak of innocence and guilt/
in a prison that was built just to generate some wealth/
facilities they build are industries with in themselves.
That outearn, two thirds of anything they sell/
the gavel on the 13th willin to give'em hell/
when they fillin the demand from men and women and themselves/
systems stay in business cuz the children that it fails/
getcha illin when they still outta livin for themselves/
hopelessness sendin the feelin that prevails/
they stealin killin slangin' steady fillin up them jails, uh ah!/"
- Brother Ali - Little Rodney
Best Line: "Sh*t, motherf***a you talkin to da KID!" - Richard Pryor Talkin My S**t
Best Song: The Believers Brother Ali feat. Slug
Rating: 8.7/10
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