Brother Ali has shown time and time again why he’s maintained such a long and prosperous career. The Madison, Wisconsin born rapper, activist, and community leader is getting to prove that pretty soon, specifically on February 14, 2025. That is the release date of Brother Ali’s next endeavor, Satisfied Soul. It’s available for pre-save on Apple Music and it’s going to consist of 17 tracks. Additionally, some other information we have available, courtesy of Stereogum, is that the album will be mostly produced by Ant. if you aren’t familiar with him, he’s known for his time as the other half of Minnesota hip-hop duo, Atmosphere. He works alongside fellow underground MC Slug. They are still going as well and have been since the late 90s.
Ali has always been one to muse and speak honestly about the issues existing in the world. In addition, he also manages to effectively communicate with his audience about emotions and philosophical questions. That’s helped by his voice, which always commands attention thanks how booming it is and how articulate he can be. It makes you want to think and question things he talks about, so the listener is always reaping the benefits when they truly try to understand what he’s conveying. Folks were surely have a lot to take out of these five tracks that are out to promote the album. Something that has our interest, outside of the uplifting and contemplative messages is the production. There’s a diverse set of live instrumentation and it’s put together well. Check out Ali’s new EP with the links below.
The underground scene is a side of hip-hop that you can almost always count on to deliver some of the best records year in and year out. Brother Ali, a Madison, Wisconsin native, is just one solider in an army of some of the most unheralded lyricists the game has ever seen. On his new album Love & Service, Brother Ali is showing why he deserves that title and more recognition. Joining him one of the best records of the year so far is California producer unJUST.
Over the last few weeks or so, Ali had been dropping several singles ahead of his 12th project. In fact, all of this comes after a two-year hiatus of zero loosies or projects. He began the rollout back in February with “Ottomans” and would then go on to drop four more after that. Brother Ali went and grabbed a few features for the record as well, including Roc Marciano, Aesop Rock, Casual, Quelle Chris, and Rakaya Esime Fetuga.
Across this 13-song tracklist, the longtime rapper discusses various topics that are always a welcome sight to hear instead of the traditional trap and pop rap talk. For example, on “The Collapse” (one of the singles), he raps about how most of society chooses to dance through and ignore the crumbling world around us on a daily basis. Furthermore, he explores other ideas such as God, death, and more. UnJUST also deserves a huge shoutout for the instrumentals. He was able to do some creative things in terms of the sampling and sonics overall. We highly recommend this project so be sure to check out Brother Ali’s latest work above.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new album Love & Service by Brother Ali and unJUST? Is this one of his better projects, why or why not? Which song is the best and why? Who had the strongest feature appearance on the record? What is unJUST’s best beat here? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Brother Ali and unJUST. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.
Brother Ali is one of the more intriguing prospects in the underground conscious rap scene. The longtime Wisconsin artist has an intricate pen game and understated delivery. He likes focusing more on the words rather than the cadence, which is highly commendable. Brother Ali is doing more of the same great stuff on two new singles, “Worthy” and “Gauntlet.”
Both of these Brother Ali tracks are produced by unJUST, as have the last three singles. All five are out to bring hype to the rapper’s forthcoming record Love & Service, his first in three years. The project is due on April 26 and to our knowledge, we know of one feature. That would be Roc Marciano, who actually features on “Gauntlet.” For those wondering where he dropped the former and “Worthy,” Brother Ali dropped the Roc collab on Apple Music only, and the solo track on Spotify.
Listen To “Worthy” & “Gauntlet” By Brother Ali, UnJUST, & Roc Marciano
In a way it is a two-pack, but not really. “Worthy” is the one that caught our immediate attention due to the incredible word play and rhymes. At the bottom there is just one sample of what Ali is bringing to the table. If you want to hear the rest of the great talent behind the mic, check out “Worthy” and “Gauntlet” on their respective platforms.
What are your thoughts on these brand-new singles, “Worthy” and “Gauntlet,” by Brother Ali, unJUST, and Roc Marciano? Which track is the better of the two and why? Does this get you excited for Brother Ali’s upcoming album Love & Service? What is your favorite element of the song? Who had the stronger performance on “Gauntlet?” Are any of these the best lead single for the record over the previous efforts? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Brother Ali, unJUST, and Roc Marciano. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics From “Worthy”:
I don’t chase the bag dagnabbit I’m in it Not last-minute I been it ask my ancestors quit it My kraft is authentically mastered it isn’t instant You can’t sprinkle it out of a package and get to whisking It’s seasoned by the seasons of marinade I drenched it The care that I exhibit is the flavor that you’re sipping listen
The world has come to stand and acknowledge the 50-year mark of the assassination of a man who is defined as being the most influential civil rights leader in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968, as he stood on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Dr. King was fatally struck with a bullet by James Earl Ray, an unlawful racist. The striking assassination of Dr. King follows a sturdy 14-year reign serving as a dominant figure in the civil rights movement fighting for the security of legal rights for African Americans. It was a fight drilled with nonviolence and civil disobedience, being burgeoned by the vile acts of racial segregation, disenfranchisement, and exploitation of all hanging from the centerfold of racism.
The powerfully symphonic voice of Dr. King in his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech delivered at the 1963 March on Washington sets the tone for emotional empowerment. It is currently the most sampled Dr. King audio recording in hip-hop history. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his sound legacy. Here are nine hip-hop songs sampled by the legendary leader’s voice.
1. Sadat X “Return of the Bang Bang” (2010)
Reigning from the silver-tongued posse who is bound to their divine blackness is Sadat X of Brand Nubian on the solo tip with “Return of the Bang Bang.” The unorthodox emcee takes to the mic to drop insight about his daily journey as a seasoned vet returning to the game. In his signature abstract style, Sadat uses Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” passage to serve rightful diction in his tunnel of bars. “Return of the Bang Bang” is featured on Sadat’s 2010 sequel gem Wild Cowboys II.
2. Heavy D & the Boyz “A Better Land” (1989)
One of the golden era’s finest, the late Heavy D is pouring his soul out in rhyme in “A Better Land” with his boyz about improving the meager conditions of impoverished communities. The telling track starts with a sample of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech that ends with one of his most acquainted quotes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men, are created equal.”
3. Edo G feat. Masta Ace “Wishing” (2004)
Donald Trump is not the first President of the United States to be highly scorned by most of his country. Back in 2004, George W. Bush was in office, turning America’s dream into a nightmare with his jest-like measures. Edo G and Masta Ace took to the mic to release their wishes while demanding intrinsic change in the American way. After Masta Ace crops the title of a dreamer, Dr. King’s infamous line about his dream for freedom and justice in Mississippi hoards the track.
4. Cyhi Da Prynce “Ring Bellz” (2010)
Cyhi Da Prynce is honoring his cultural edge through the barrels of black history in “Ring Bellz” a song from his 2010 mixtape Royal Flush. While mixing his braggadocios persona with black excellence, the G.O.O.D. music wordplayer takes it from Fredrick Douglass to Stokely Carmichael, with the profound words from Dr. King’s beloved speech leading the track.
5. Common feat. will.i.am “A Dream” (2006)
Chicago’s renowned poet in rhyme Common teamed up with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas for a true hip-hop measure that reflects on the progression and condition of blacks in a known racist America, the way Dr. King stood sturdy for titled “A Dream.” Owning the same desire for nation zenith, just as King, it was sensible for the abstract collab to start with King’s pacifying “We gonna work it out” saying.
6. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five “The King” (1988)
With Melle Mel being heralded as one of hip-hop’s earliest conscious rappers, the lingering legacy of Dr. King has certainly played a role during hip-hop’s infancy. The hip-hop pioneer rocks the mic with delight honoring the deeds of Dr. King by recognizing the Civil rights icon’s brightest accomplishments while calling for the bells of freedom. “He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak.”
7. Wu-Tang Clan “Never Let Go” (2014)
Known for their supremely motivational rap hymns, the Wu-Tang Clan hit the masses with a dream driven tune in signature fashion. Docking off of their sixth studio album A Better Tomorrow is “Never Let Go” an ode to survival during challenging times. Before Masta Killa leads and after U-God anchors the track, a courteous potent chunk of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is heard where the beloved leader makes one of his most bracing points, “For many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.”
8. Boogie Down Productions “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love)” (1990)
Emphasis is something KRS-One has mastered as a lyricist. Amid the prime of Boogie Down Productions‘ fourth studio album Edutainment comes its top single “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love),” a song that serves as a warning about the detrimental lust that comes with chasing after material things. To throw emphasis on “movin’ on,” the voice of Dr. King chanting the phrase from his final speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top.”
9. Immortal Technique feat. Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike “Civil War” (2011)
Budding off of the musically factious Immortal Technique‘s 2011 compilation album The Martyr is “Civil War” featuring Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike, an unapologetic effort to audibly express “trying to survive cultural assassination,” the great PE lead makes it clear in the chorus. The track samples a selection of King’s final speech, where the iconic leader encourages the destruction of fear in exchange for glory.
Dr. King’s call for sound justice fused into a faithful dream for African Americans has thrived its way into hip-hop culture out of the purpose of nature. The infancy of hip-hop culture is a result of movements that brewed during Dr. King’s time. Movements that were centered in the fight for justice and art of freedom such as the Black Panther Party and Black Arts Movement, who all commonly owned a desire to climb the path of racial justice. The youth of hip-hop’s beginnings dreamed of topnotch mobility out of the hood, reversing the culture of police brutality, and several cases of discrimination ceased. Now, since the culture has grown into a universal phenomenon, Dr. King’s dreamy element of justice is emblematic in hip-hop whenever he is sampled on a track.
