Review:

on 2007-08-01 SunglassesAtNight Said:

Ali has more skills than that white boy Eminems
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-03-12 sublogic Said:

When listening to or seeing Brother Ali live, I’m always left with the same feeling. Hunger. He has so much passion and confidence in his words that it hark-ens back to the fabled “Golden Age of Hip-Hop” when materialistic props weren’t quite the tool that they’ve become. A mic and a DJ. As effective today as they were 30 years ago. “As plain as the nose, on my face, that I placed on the stone, Had to stake my claim to the throne.” DAAAHHH! Dear High-Ranking Rappers, He Wants Your Spot! Throughout the Undisputed Truth, with songs like “Whatcha Got”, “Lookin At Me Sideways”, “Puzzle”, and “Listen Up”, Ali builds his case, prosecuting your favorite MC and basically taking them to task. Also, as expected our “chosen leaders” are just as attractive to him as targets, and he doesn’t hold back. “Uncle Sam Goddamn” and “Letter From The Government” are scathing indictments of the government. But here’s the surprise, Ali’s ballads of personal growth and tribulations are my favorite tracks. “Here” is an eerie and masterful song about his battles with inner demons and “Walkin’ Away”, “Faheem”, and “Ear to Ear” bleed with regret over not being able to work things out with his ex, the toll on his children, and a vision of a brighter future. Super-collaborator Ant is absolutely out of his mind. Pure guitar riffs and gut-rockin’ beats are the theme. With a love for true R&B and Soul, evident in past mixtapes like Melodies and Memories, he’s at his best when complemented by wordsmiths like Ali and his Atmosphere co-hort, Slug. I can say with confidence that The Undisputed Truth is every bit as good as any of the classic Atmosphere LP’s. I wish him success because he’s going to need it in the fight against a culture of narcissism that pushes the flashy to forefront.
Rating: 8/10