Album Review: Brother Ali - Us

October 6, 1:32 PMIndie Music ExaminerRichard Thomas

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Brother Ali (photo courtesy of AP)

The Street Preacher. That was the working title for Minneapolis rapper Brother Ali’s latest record before, and although the name has since changed to Us, that first title speaks volumes about the content of Ali’s rhymes and the nature of his character. From his cassette-only debut release, Rites Of Passage, to 2007’s breakout The Undisputed Truth, Ali has spread the gospel of real hip-hop to all those searching for something deeper than simple-minded raps about club exploits and Patron, with or without ice. Produced by Ant (Atmosphere), Us is 16 tracks of pure gold, and easily one of the best rap albums of 2009. On “Fresh Air,” Ali chronicles his wonderful life, from Sunday morning pancake breakfasts with his family to his fresh digs, rapping “Not two years ago I was homeless. I mean, crashing on the couch of my homies. Now I’m crashing on the couch with Conan.” With its soaring string section, “You Say” (Puppy Love) is the requisite love jam, while the title track, dropped in at the end of the record, is a full on Sunday service confessional, complete with soul claps and a church organ. Ali’s delivery is that of a preacher, using heavy breaths to accentuate particularly potent lines, and dropping just a little vibrato at the end of his sentences for added effect. At a time when money machines like T-Pain are releasing iTunes apps to turn your latest voice memo into an Autotuned chorus, Brother Ali promotes function over fashion, dropping lyrical smart bombs that give pause to both poets and thugs alike.

Preview and purchase Us at iTunes.

View a list of tour dates here, then check out the video for The Undisputed Truth’s “Take Me Home” below.