Career
Ali's first release was a cassette-only demo tape called Rites of Passage; which Ali produced, recorded and arranged himself. The tape cemented his relationship with the local independent hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment. Rites of Passage was released in 2000 and was sold almost exclusively at shows. In 2004, a limited run of Rites of Passage CDs were given away as promotional items.
In 2003 Brother Ali released his first studio project, entitled Shadows on the Sun. Atmosphere producer Ant provided all of the instrumentals. Although the album had no major national distribution it was heavily praised by independent hip-hop fans and publications. Ali used the album to explain his childhood and identity.
Ali's next CD was the Champion EP, released a year after Shadows on the Sun. It was presented as an extension of the full-length. Leading with a reggae-inspired remix of the track "Champion", the 9-song EP offered up highlights such as "Rain Water", a song about Ali losing his mother and grandfather to cancer and suicide.
In 2007 Brother Ali and his DJ BK-One released a 17-track compilation album entitled Off the Record.
In spring of 2007 Rhymesayers released The Undisputed Truth, Ali and Ant's full-length follow-up to Shadows on the Sun. The album tells the story of Ali's divorce from his first wife, his struggle to gain custody of their young son Faheem, and the homelessness he faced as a single father. The first of his releases to be distributed by Warner Brothers Music, the album debuted at #69 on Billboard 200.
Brother Ali released an EP and DVD package entitled The Truth Is Here in March 2009. The album is made up of 9 tracks including a collaboration with Rhymesayers label-mate Slug of Atmosphere.
In September 2009, Brother Ali released his follow-up to 2007's The Undisputed Truth. The album was originally titled "Street Preacher" but was later changed to Us. It debuted at #56 on the Billboard 200. Ali, BK-One, and fellow Rhymesayers crew members Toki Wright and Evidence recently finished their Fresh Air Tour this fall.
Brother Ali released his latest album Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color on September 18, 2012. Jake One produced the entire project and Dr. Cornel West makes an appearance.
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