Last year, Brother Ali and Nardwuar caught up for an entertaining interview, and Ali was so inspired by the interview that he went home and recorded a song about it. Seriously, how many interviewers can say they have a song written about them - not to mention by someone as accomplished as Brother Ali? Stream/download the track below and read what Brother Ali had to say. And, although he may not have written a song about it yet, we also have an interview with Brother Ali you should check out - read it here.
"I've had the pleasure of being interviewed and featured in some of the most incredible publications but the most entertaining and interesting interview I've ever had was with the one and only Nardwuar. During our interview he gave me the original program to a Muhammad Ali exhibition fight in Vancouver and several records. First thing I did when I got home from the tour was listen through the records and make a beat from one of them. I ended up recording this song.
Doot doola doot doot!" - Brother Ali
It's a great time to be a music fan because we are overwhelmed with so much free music, i.e. mixtapes, singles, EP's. We can agree the lines are blurred on how artists release their material, mixtapes vs. albums, but I believe we should always expect the best of the best on an album. If your favourite rapper delivers a sub-par mixtape you might let it slide and when it comes to an album it's no holds barred and why shouldn't it be? Most artists record anywhere between 20-100 songs for an album. Without further ado, The Come Up Show presents our favourite albums of 2012.
Interview by: Martin Bauman The past two years have been full of highs and lows for Rhymesayers emcee Brother Ali. The parting of ways with his longtime deejay BK-One, the difficulties linking up with his producer Ant, and the deaths of his father and his good friend Eyedea dealt Ali a particularly difficult hand. On another note, his visit to Mecca, his new album, and his subsequent tour have been high points - signs of a growth in his career and as a person. It would have been easy for Ali to make an album about his struggles this past year, but instead, he chose to craft Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, a passionate critique of modern society, encompassed with a message of hope and love. The result: his finest work to date. The Come Up Show caught up with Ali to discuss his latest album, his recent article on homophobia and hip-hop, his visit to Mecca, and much more.
Hit the skip to read the full interview.
While he was on tour in Vancouver, Brother Ali met up with Nardwuar for a memorable interview, discussing Blaxploitation, Minneapolis music history, and much more. Earlier in September, Brother Ali put out one of the year's strongest hip-hop releases in Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, an album entirely produced by Jake One. Make sure to give that album a listen, and check out the interview below.
Brother Ali's latest album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, released just under a week ago through Rhymesayers. Split into two halves, the first half of the album, Mourning in America, focuses on some of the social ills occurring in America. Ali wastes no time easing into these issues, opening the album's introductory song, "Letter To My Countrymen", with the words: "I used to think I hated this place/ Couldn't wait to tell the President straight to his face." Ali then rounds out the rest of the Mourning side with such notable songs as "Stop The Press", "Mourning in America", and "Work Everyday". The album transitions into the second half, Dreaming in Color, with the song "Fajr", with notable Dreaming in Color tracks including "Namesake", "My Beloved", and "Singing This Song". On Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, Brother Ali sounds as polished and passionate as ever, attacking tough subjects while simultaneously weaving intricate rhyme schemes. Jake One's production throughout the album is excellent, finding the perfect moods and nuances for Ali's topics. The result is an absolutely solid, thoroughly complete album, finding the right balance between addressing social issues while also providing hope for the future. Stream Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color in its entirety below.
Last year, Brother Ali and Nardwuar caught up for an entertaining interview, and Ali was so inspired by the interview that he went home and recorded a song about it. Seriously, how many interviewers can say they have a song written about them - not to mention by someone as accomplished as Brother Ali? Stream/download the track below and read what Brother Ali had to say. And, although he may not have written a song about it yet, we also have an interview with Brother Ali you should check out - read it here.
It's a great time to be a music fan because we are overwhelmed with so much free music, i.e. mixtapes, singles, EP's. We can agree the lines are blurred on how artists release their material, mixtapes vs. albums, but I believe we should always expect the best of the best on an album. If your favourite rapper delivers a sub-par mixtape you might let it slide and when it comes to an album it's no holds barred and why shouldn't it be? Most artists record anywhere between 20-100 songs for an album. 
Interview by: Martin Bauman The past two years have been full of highs and lows for Rhymesayers emcee Brother Ali. The parting of ways with his longtime deejay BK-One, the difficulties linking up with his producer Ant, and the deaths of his father and his good friend Eyedea dealt Ali a particularly difficult hand. On another note, his visit to Mecca, his new album, and his subsequent tour have been high points - signs of a growth in his career and as a person. It would have been easy for Ali to make an album about his struggles this past year, but instead, he chose to craft 
While he was on tour in Vancouver, Brother Ali met up with Nardwuar for a memorable interview, discussing Blaxploitation, Minneapolis music history, and much more. Earlier in September, Brother Ali put out one of the year's strongest hip-hop releases in 
Brother Ali's latest album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, released just under a week ago through Rhymesayers. Split into two halves, the first half of the album, Mourning in America, focuses on some of the social ills occurring in America. Ali wastes no time easing into these issues, opening the album's introductory song, "Letter To My Countrymen", with the words: "I used to think I hated this place/ Couldn't wait to tell the President straight to his face." Ali then rounds out the rest of the Mourning side with such notable songs as