Margaret BauerPraised by CMJ and The Village Voice as “the up-and-coming hip-hop artist,” Brother Ali comes to the Gargoyle tonight, free for all Wash U students. Brother Ali’s aggressive beats and intelligent lyrics, coupled with his eclectic use of instruments, including horns, flutes and pianos, create passionate, party-starting music accessible to all. His albums, 2003’s “Shadows on the Sun” and 2004’s “Champion” EP, have been hailed by critics as being some of the best music coming out of the underground hip-hop scene.
In a recent interview with Cadenza, Brother Ali shares his first experiences with hip-hop, his beliefs about the current state of the music industry and his relationship with his four-year-old son. But keep in mind, Brother Ali is above all else, an amazing emcee. He brings his considerable talent to the Gargoyle on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are free for Wash U students, $5 for everyone else.
How did you start getting interested in hip-hop?
When I was 8 and 9 [years old] I did the school talent show, break dancing. In fifth grade, I stopped break dancing and started rapping. Around that time, there were older kids who did break dancing and graffiti. Hip-hop was all one thing to me then, particularly what these guys did when they skipped school-they drank beer, smoked, steal shit. They partied. That shit was beautiful in a way. But I didn’t realize how important [hip-hop] was until the late ’80s.
Were there rappers who inspired you at this time?
Kool Moe Dee, Whodini, UTFO and Slick Rick. They were the first rappers I noticed that used different cadences of music. But when Run-DMC came on the scene it made me want to be the third rapper in the group … they really inspired me. When I heard them, I knew I could do this.
How do you feel about the current state of the hip-hop mainstream and underground culture?
Originally hip-hop itself was an underground movement … This movement we’re in now started around the time when Biggy, Jay-Z, and Tupac had club crossover hits. Every rapper wanted to do this music, so rap got out of control, glossy. The backlash against that kind of rap is coming out raw and gritty sounding. Now I feel that mainstream and underground-neither one is complete hip-hop. I think that the mainstream has sound, which is half, maybe more than half, but the other side to it is what you’re saying. Most of them don’t talk about anything. In the underground scene, it’s a lot of people being creative but it just don’t sound good. You almost have to force yourself to listen to it-it sounds so bad. I would rather listen to Ludacris than some of that underground music.
Who do you consider rappers who are on both sides-they say something and they sound good?
Jay-Z is the greatest rapper in the last five years, maybe 10. Also OutKast, 50 Cent, Ludacris. Atmosphere, musically, are good rappers: They have something to say and they’re creative.
How do you feel about being labeled “underground”?
That’s bullshit to me. Big misconception of underground fans is that underground artists are in the position they are in because they want to be there. Everyone that I know-I can’t speak for all artists-want to make music accessible to as many people as possible. But we don’t want to make a stupid-ass song to sell records. For me, I don’t know if I could make a Lil’ Jon type of song-I don’t know if I’m capable of it. We’re not saying we don’t want a record deal. But these huge record companies don’t know how to market me; they’ll fuck me up and ruin my career.
I understand that that [your label] Rhymesayers rejected offers from offshoots of Sony. What does Rhymesayers offer you as a means of support?
As a label, Ant [producer] really helps me to write things much more personal. He gives me courage and confidence-like singing a hook and personal things.
In your songs, you talk about spirituality and religion. Are you a religious person?
I always felt spiritual but I stopped going to church after confirmation around 13 or 14. I didn’t think that I had a particular religion to learn from. Then when I was around 15, I learned about Islam and I realized that I was born a Muslim. I push myself to be a better Muslim-the Koran puts that into words and the life examples of Muhammad. But who I am has always been a Muslim.
How has having a child influenced your music?
Him being here makes me that much more serious, makes me work harder. I’ve always been a hard working person. But now, I’m not fucking around. If I’m away from my son, I’ve got to do it to death, I got to kill it.
Has having a son detracted from your ability to tour?
It’s a negative thing in the pure fact that I’m the only parent in my son’s life. For me being gone also has positives-I’m a self-employed entrepreneur, grabbed the world by the nuts, all that shit. But he’s four years old and doesn’t understand. Kids are self-centered. If you’re there, they think it’s because of them; if you’re not there, it’s because of them.
What’s next?
Me and Ant are coming out with a new album, “Undisputed Truth,” released fall of next year. Then we’re doing a world tour.