http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5185455&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rssAs a member of Minneapolis' Rhymesayers collective (alongside Atmosphere, Eyedea & Abilities, and others), Brother Ali perfectly encapsulates that heralded crew's aesthetic. He has a knack for insightful lyrics, but he tempers these emo tendencies with tough-guy bravado and a stinging litany of battle-ready insults. Inspired by pioneering emcees like Slick Rick and KRS-One, he began rapping at the age of 15. In 2000, he released his cassette-only debut, <i>Rites of Passage</i>, followed by the excellent <i>Shadows on the Sun</i> in 2003. Though that album was well received by critics and the Rhymesayers faithful, it failed to catch on with the general public, and Ali spent the next two years fighting poverty and engaged in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, whom he claims was both mentally and physically abusive toward him and his son. The blood and tears were on full display on his next disc, <i>The Undisputed Truth</i>. For that record, Ali scaled back some of the bravado and explored his inner emotional fissures. Once again, the album gained critical praise and a cult following, but failed to make an impression on the wider listening audience. - Sam ChennaultThe Midwestern Basementen720Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:39:11 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5185455&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss As a member of Minneapolis' Rhymesayers collective (alongside Atmosphere, Eyedea & Abilities, and others), Brother Ali perfectly encapsulates that heralded crew's aesthetic. He has a knack for insightful lyrics, but he tempers these emo tendencies with tough-guy bravado and a stinging litany of battle-ready insults. Inspired by pioneering emcees like Slick Rick and KRS-One, he began rapping at the age of 15. In 2000, he released his cassette-only debut, <i>Rites of Passage</i>, followed by the excellent <i>Shadows on the Sun</i> in 2003. Though that album was well received by critics and the Rhymesayers faithful, it failed to catch on with the general public, and Ali spent the next two years fighting poverty and engaged in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, whom he claims was both mentally and physically abusive toward him and his son. The blood and tears were on full display on his next disc, <i>The Undisputed Truth</i>. For that record, Ali scaled back some of the bravado and explored his inner emotional fissures. Once again, the album gained critical praise and a cult following, but failed to make an impression on the wider listening audience. - Sam Chennault http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058187&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058187 tra.30058187 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true The Preacher tra.30058187 203000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058187&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058187&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3905949&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 3905949 tra.3905949 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Shadows On The Sun alb.299601 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/7/2/1/1261278_170x170.jpg 2007-04-03 00:00:00.0 2003-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Forest Whitiker tra.3905949 180000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3905949&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3905949&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058176&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058176 tra.30058176 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Fresh Air tra.30058176 282000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058176&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058176&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992955&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:28:29 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 13992955 tra.13992955 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Undisputed Truth alb.13990687 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/0/7/9/1009707_170x170.jpg 2007-04-10 00:00:00.0 null true Uncle Sam Goddamn tra.13992955 297000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992955&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992955&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058174&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058174 tra.30058174 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Crown Jewel tra.30058174 237000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058174&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058174&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058172&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058172 tra.30058172 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Brothers And Sisters tra.30058172 87000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058172&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058172&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058173&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058173 tra.30058173 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Us tra.30058173 164000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058173&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058173&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3905944&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 3905944 tra.3905944 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Shadows On The Sun alb.299601 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/7/2/1/1261278_170x170.jpg 2007-04-03 00:00:00.0 2003-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Shadows On The Sun tra.3905944 276000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3905944&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3905944&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058177&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058177 tra.30058177 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Tight Rope tra.30058177 216000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058177&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058177&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058175&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058175 tra.30058175 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true House Keys tra.30058175 162000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058175&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058175&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058178&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058178 tra.30058178 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Breakin' Dawn tra.30058178 277000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058178&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058178&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058182&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058182 tra.30058182 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Bad Mufucker Pt. II tra.30058182 214000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058182&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058182&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058179&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058179 tra.30058179 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true The Travelers tra.30058179 318000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058179&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058179&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058180&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058180 tra.30058180 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Babygirl tra.30058180 274000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058180&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058180&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992946&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Sun, 2 Nov 2008 20:07:45 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 13992946 tra.13992946 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Undisputed Truth alb.13990687 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/0/7/9/1009707_170x170.jpg 2007-04-10 00:00:00.0 null true Truth Is tra.13992946 260000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992946&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992946&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992954&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Tue, 6 Oct 2009 10:00:36 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 13992954 tra.13992954 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Undisputed Truth alb.13990687 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/0/7/9/1009707_170x170.jpg 2007-04-10 00:00:00.0 null true Take Me Home tra.13992954 301000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992954&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992954&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058184&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058184 tra.30058184 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Games tra.30058184 223000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058184&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058184&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058181&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058181 tra.30058181 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true 'Round Here tra.30058181 235000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058181&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058181&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992956&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:26:31 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 13992956 tra.13992956 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Undisputed Truth alb.13990687 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/0/7/9/1009707_170x170.jpg 2007-04-10 00:00:00.0 null true Walking Away tra.13992956 238000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992956&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992956&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058185&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058185 tra.30058185 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Slippin' Away tra.30058185 298000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058185&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058185&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058183&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058183 tra.30058183 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true Best@it tra.30058183 263000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058183&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058183&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992958&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Sun, 2 Nov 2008 20:07:46 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 13992958 tra.13992958 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Undisputed Truth alb.13990687 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/0/7/9/1009707_170x170.jpg 2007-04-10 00:00:00.0 null true Faheem tra.13992958 169000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992958&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992958&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26557035&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 26557035 tra.26557035 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Truth Is Here alb.26554722 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/0/5/6/1586508_170x170.jpg 2009-03-10 00:00:00.0 2009-03-10 00:00:00.0 true The Believers (feat. Slug from Atmosphere) tra.26557035 287000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26557035&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26557035&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058186&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 30058186 tra.30058186 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 Us alb.30054803 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/1/2/7/1797217_170x170.jpg 2009-09-22 00:00:00.0 2009-09-21 00:00:00.0 true You Say (Puppy Love) tra.30058186 257000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058186&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.30058186&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992944&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss The Midwestern Basement Sun, 2 Nov 2008 20:07:45 -0800 Top Tracks by Brother Ali on Rhapsody Online 13992944 tra.13992944 Brother Ali art.5185455 0.99 The Undisputed Truth alb.13990687 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/0/7/9/1009707_170x170.jpg 2007-04-10 00:00:00.0 null true Whatcha' Got tra.13992944 273000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992944&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13992944&variant=data&rws=%2Fbrother-ali%2Ftop-tracks.rss