The Champion, Brother Ali's a Bad Ma F!cka!
Written: Jun 17 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Brother Ali's Though-Provoking, Mind-Boggling lyrics, Ant's Superb Soulful Production
Cons: Uhhh, Let Me Think...NO!
The Bottom Line: Rhymesayers/Brother Ali Fans - Buy, HipHop Fans - Buy, Non-HipHop Fans - Still Buy, and find out why your wrong for hating hip-hop
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| MajaFiggaz's Full Review: Chamption EP - Brother Ali Movies |
A member of the Minnesota's underground hip-hop scene, Brother Ali is much more than just an Albino rapper. Rising above the powerful Minnesota UG scene is the Rhymesayers record label. Sporting rappers such as Atmosphere, Eyedea and Brother Ali himself it is obvious to see Rhymesayers isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Last year Brother Ali released his debut Shadows on the Sun which was nothing less than an absolute banger. Brother Ali has a very unique sound and combined with his fiery flow and thought-provoking lyrics its clear Brother Ali's future is way too bright for any other albino to see without sunglasses.
Brother Ali is back at it with his producer Ant(of Atmosphere) this time with a new EP for all of his fans to hear. Ant's production on Shadows on the Sun was somewhat lagging compared to some of the sh!t on Atmosphere albums namely Seven's Travels. However here Ant delivers some absolutely sick beats in which Brother Ali can't help but rip. With that said let's rock with the Champion
1. Champion(Remix) - $$$$$ - Ant produces a tight soulful beat here for the remix of Champion off of Brother Ali's debut. Here Brother Ali drops some crisp and venomous battle rhymes here that will leave you shaking your head when you hear "For real I be diligently killin' the soliloquies/Of these millipedes who try to pass themselves off as ill emcees/I'll weave a web of words so intricately/That the English dictionary lacks an adjective to fit me!"(Thanx E 4 the quik Copy/Paste of these hot 4 bars :) ). This song also has a catchy chorus is which Brother Ali explains your f!ck a war which can't be won when you f!ck with him. With this song, and through-out the EP, you will see how much crossover-appeal Brother Ali has. Not to mention the Albino rapper thing. Only time will tell if he actually blows up in this aspect.
2. Bad Ma F!cka - $$$$$ - A rock-influences guitar-heavy beat is delivered to Brother Ali on this track. It also includes some harmonica's which play in during the chorus. Brother Ali does more than just rock this joint. He spits some insane battle raps just proving to you that he damn sure is a bad muthaf!cka! Crushing all soft emcee's out there who hold the mic like they scared as hell to break a nail. When you listen to it you will find yourself continually pressing back on your CD player to rewind back. That's after the lyrics smack you and send waves throughout your body which make you yell out loud "What the F!ck did he just say?!". As we end the track he ends the song with a non-subtle F!ck You!.
3. Sleepwalker - $$$$$ - Ant beat powers in with a slow and haunting but booming brass beat, fitting the song title perfectly. However Brother Ali doesn't sleep through this joint. He gives us some killer lyrics filled with death and pain. "The Devil lives inside my eyelids/When I close them I hear cries and violence/I'm supposed to find some silence/Rockin' the back seat of insomniac theatre/Where the answers and the subtitle's, I just can't read them" This whole song is full of horror from the beat to the lyrics to the chorus "Somebody tell my mother that I died". To add to the madness of this song, in the background through-out the song are whispers, which really gives the feel that Brother Ali is going crazy. His second and last verse is more of a second chorus then anything until it's abruptly ended with a "F!ck You Ali". However even though this song is pretty short, the beat playing for about a minute after Brother Ali's last verse is still great to hear.
4. Love On Display - $$$$$ - Ant delivers a beat full of soul on this one. Brother Ali drops the battle raps here and choses to show love to his fanbase. He tells his fans how to them its a game but for him its work. He also touches on problems at home. He tells of how the live on the road has him all f!cked up with his family, namely his wife and son. Basically just giving us a rundown of his life. As quickly as it begins it ends. Hitting you with a short and sweet taste in your mouth.
5. Self Taught - $$$$$ - Whistles blow in as Brother Ali explains that there is a thin line between anger and hunger and he rides a unicycle down the middle. Ali delivers a few battle raps but most of his rhymes are just showin love to hip-hop. He talks about pressure affecting people around him. He goes on to explain how he aint mad, but this is one of the few things he knows how to do, so he raps aggresively like he's tryna prove something.
6. Heads Down(You Haven't Done That Yet) - $$$$$ - Ant delivers a slow beat with soul samples here. Brother Ali changes up here and raps about sex and making love. No he doesn't go about yelling I f!cked this hoe, and that b!tch, no he actually spits about the art of making love. Instead of being all about him he talks of pleasing his woman. The chorus drives the song on as it is a female soul sample stating simply "You, Only You". The only problem is near the end he starts yelling in the background and when he screams "reproductive system" you will think to yourself, "Nah, He ain't just say that". Then he goes on to make love to himself. However these are minor problems at the most and its actually quite humorous.
7. Chain Link - $$$$$($) - This joint pounds in thanks to some thumping bass and tight synthesizers like a mournful 80's synth-funk. Brother Ali shows love for the Nation of Islam on this one as well as people who strive to overcome the everyday struggle. He tells of how, even if they are broke they never sell out and keep thier pride. He tells of all type of problems and stress. Just basically giving a trenchant analysis of poverty. The chorus is a perfect example of this as he tells "What’s the use when the real strive hard and stress about the rent/ and can still die poor and in debt without a cent".
8. Waheedahs Hands - $$$$1/2 - Pounding bass runs rampant in this song. Lyrically Brother Ali spits fire. He spits about struggling but nothing that has happened to him has weakened him, and he's only stronger. We get some singing on the chorus along witha type of hand clapping funk. Brother Ali also touches a bit on religion, and he trashes a lot of the garbage going on that he see's. AT time some of this song feels a bit awkward but all of that is an afterthough when you hear Brother Ali's voice.
9. Rain Water - $$$$$($) - Here Ant takes us to church hitting us with some soulful organs and a bass that knocks and will make you jump up and down like you got the holy ghost. The soulful humming in the background only adds to the atmosphere, not to mention the claps. Sh!t the only thing missing is a preacher. Nah Brother Ali got that. Here Brother Ali's agressive style is shed for a calmer type of, almost talking, deliver. He hits us with some mind-blowing, introspective thought-provoking lyrics which are nothing short of amazing. Once again he talks of how rap keeps him on the road away from his son, and expresses his love for his son.
Man the aftermath of listening to this will probably be severe whiplash. I mean this joint is just sick. Brother Ali's passion is quite frankly matched by no one. The man exudes hunger and vitality, never sounds tired or bored and is always enthusiastic. To say that Brother Ali is complicated is an understatement. Simultaneously self-conscious and proud, full of empathy for those who struggle and disgust towards the system pitted against them. Ant production is also flawless. He damn-near, if not does out-do his work on Atmospere's Seven's Travels. Humming like a muscle car Ant is on fire right now, i mean he's really on a roll. As far as soulful production, Ant is right up there with Kanye West, if not a step a head of him. Short and Sweet Brother Ali delivers a punch harder then the one Muhammed Ali gave the guy on the cd cover.
5 Stars hands down.
Top 3 Songs
1.Rain Water
2.Chain Link
3.Bad Ma F!cka
Honorable Mention(s) - Any Other Songs
Also Check Out
Atmosphere - Seven's Travels
Various Artists - We Came From Beyond Vol. 2
NOTE: Can SOmeone Correct the title from Chamption to Champion?... Peace
Recommended:
Yes
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MajaFiggaz
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Location: The United Neighborhoods of Philadelphia
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"Maybe. Maybe Not. Maybe F!ck Yourself" - Dignam
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