Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth (Super Review)

Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth

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Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn

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To begin to understand the plight and music of Brother Ali (formerly Jason Newman), it's almost detrimental that a listen know 3 things about Ali. Ali is 1) A Caucasian male, 2) an Albino, 3) an American Muslim. To begin listening to a Brother Ali track on The Undisputed Truth or any of Ali's pervious work,  without knowing those few things would be enough to make several listeners confused, upset, and taken aback if they're entire perception of B.A. is based on the album's CD cover. After taking those listed aspects of who Ali is as a person, from the first track to the last track it's easy to come to the conclusion that Brother Ali is the undisputed truth.

Anybody who's familiar with Ali's previous works is apt to realize that Ali improves with each of his efforts. Shadows on the Sun was better than Rites of Passage and The Champion EP was better than Shadows on the Sun. It's not to say Ali has ever released a bad album, but rather that Ali always winds up outdoing himself whenever he releases new material. The same is true for Undisputed. The Ant (of Atmosphere) produced album begins with an 80s type Run DMCesque track titled "Watcha' Got".Ali's gruff lion's roar of a voice blends well with the chords of the electric guitar as Ali raps,

 While the track lacks to show Ali's lyrical capabilities, it does do Ali's ability to get his braggadocio on, justice. "Pedigree" is a Juggaknot-like produced joint laced with a trademark Ant sample which gives a somewhat ghostly feel to the otherwise easy going feel of the song. Unlike "Watcha Got" this track, which is also somewhat bragging, doesn't have such a brash blatant feel and is liable to get the most unsuspecting rapper singing right along,

"One behind the next in line, it's inspection time, let me check the design/ Your pedigree don't hold up next to mine, I'm a thoroughbred of the most excellent kind"

"Freedom Ain't Free" is another example of those previously mentioned trademark Ant samples. The track is set off by a 90 sounding reggae bounce with a chimpmunked sample declaring "Ain't no where to run to, there ain't nothing here for free". For those unfamiliar with Brother Ali's ill fated years of youth, Ali re-introduces little Jason to listener and tells the tale of how BA was forced to completely de-construct and rebuild himself until he was no longer Jason Newman, but Brother Ali (now Ali Newman).

Although the first portion of Undisputed, has its high points, the last five tracks are definitely the best of the album in its entirety. "Take Me Home" is a feel good joint Ali promises "If you take me home, I'll sing you a song". As the song progresses listeners will find it to be a lesson on how Ali has kept his head above water by continuously working hard, staying on his grind and not trying to compare himself to other cats. The premier track of the entire album (and the first single) "Uncle Sam Goddamn" is definitive in naming Ali a force to be reckoned with. From politics, to religion, to race Ali examines the evils of the United States (aka the United Snakes) and mocks the way Americans are taught to support everything the government does. Every single line in the song is packed with a history lesson and the Ant produced track's show-tune feel sets the class off.

Even for somebody who's not paying the song much attention to begin with, a second listen is a must after hearing Ali stop the track to kick knowledge