Brother Ali "Satisfied Soul" (Album Stream)

Brother Ali’s “Satisfied Soul” (his debut Mello Music Group album) is a thunderclap, a 17-track sermon where truth and vulnerability collide with legendary producer Ant's signature production. Ali wields his pen like a blade, slicing through the smoke of political despair and personal revelation, delivering wisdom with a preacher’s cadence and a rebel’s fire. Ant crafts a sonic mosaic of dusty drums, warm vinyl crackle, and ghostly rhythms that feel like they’ve been pulled from the deep pockets of America’s forgotten record shops. This is thought provoking, spiritual rap, full of jagged self-reflection and unflinching critique, rooted in hope and defiance. Ali's voice weaves stories that feel more like conversations with an old friend than mere tracks. This isn't just an album—it’s a movement wrapped in the spirit of resilience. One of my favorite artists and people. Listen below...

Ant "Collection of Sounds Vol. 2" (Instrumental Album)

Collection of Sounds: Vol. 2 is the second in a series of four albums of unreleased material from the vault of distinguished hip-hop producer Anthony “Ant” Davis (one half of Atmosphere, productions for MF DOOM, Brother Ali, Murs, Rav, Sage Francis, and more), offering a new window into his decades-long career and pushing his artistry to the center. Ant’s production is known for its rich, textured soundscapes that blend vintage and soulful elements with deep emotional resonance. The second installment of his instrumental series, Collection of Sounds: Vol. 2, features smooth beats, intricate sampling, and lush, jazzy layers that create an immersive atmosphere. He masterfully incorporates sly riffs and funk-laden grooves, stirring sentimentality and highlighting his ability to craft emotive, engaging music. The result is a sonically complex album where Ant blends funk, soul, classic R&B, and hip-hop influences, evoking a nostalgic sense of bygone eras. Ant’s introspective approach is complemented by a dynamic, vibrant energy in Collection of Sounds: Vol. 2. His production on “Damn Koop 2012” and “Claps, Cuica and Synth Part 2” includes playful, funky samples and energetic rhythms that infuse the music with a lively, upbeat quality. He balances this with laid-back, reflective songs like “Changes,” and “Velvet Ish,” featuring a mellow, retro ambiance. The beats are marked by crisp drum patterns and varied melodies, showcasing a broad range of influences. This versatility demonstrates Ant’s skill in navigating both introspective and spirited musical landscapes.

Ant "Collection of Sounds Vol. 1" (Instrumental Album)

Anthony “Ant” Davis is a distinguished hip-hop producer, one-half of the renowned duo Atmosphere, and a founding member of independent record label Rhymesayers Entertainment. His decades-long career of beat-making has also included works for MF DOOM, Brother Ali, Murs, Rav, Sage Francis and a dozen others. Raised in a military family, his nomadic upbringing exposed him to many diverse influences and, coupled with his father’s love for collecting records, laid the groundwork for his deep appreciation for all sorts of music. Ant’s latest endeavor, Collection of Sounds, is a four-volume series of instrumental works showcasing the breadth and depth of his musical expertise. The Collection of Sounds series offers a window into Ant's creative journey, reflecting his evolution as an artist over the years. Drawing from a vast vault of unreleased material, he’s exhumed cross sections of his catalog with surgical precision, organizing songs by sound rather than mere chronology. Volume 1 is at times so intimate as to border on claustrophobia, like the creeping “Bar One,” or the haunted twinkling of “I Was Always a Collector,” while other tracks are expansive enough to fill entire venues, like the forebodingly airy “4-Track Beyond Beat 1996." Many of the beats on Collection of Sounds: Volume 1 have pockets that are practically begging for rappers to explore. Collection of Sounds is not about forgetting who you are—it’s about remembering, reconfiguring, and reimagining, all at once; a testament to Ant's artistic integrity. Listen to it below...

Brother Ali "All The Beauty In This Whole Life" (Album Stream)

"Over the past 17 years, Brother Ali has earned wide critical acclaim for his deeply personal, socially conscious, and inspiring brand of hip-hop. Under Rhymesayers Entertainment, he’s unleashed a series of lauded projects, establishing himself as one of the most respected independent voices in music. The latest chapter in that celebrated journey is All the Beauty in This Whole Life, a 15-track collection produced entirely by Atmosphere’s "Ant” Davis. "This entire album is based on the reality that beauty is the splendor of truth" says the Minneapolis MC. "Beauty in all of its forms is the outward manifestation of love and virtue. It soothes the soul and pulls it gently toward the truth it communicates. Every word and note of this album is intended to either reflect beauty, or expose the ugliness that blocks us from living lives of meaning." All the Beauty in This Whole Life is Ali’s first official release in five years and represents the newest and most refined chapter of his life's journey. "Each of my albums are the result of the pain, growth and eventual healing that I experience. Articulating the pain and navigating the healing allows the people who really feel my music to travel with me. It's not only that we hurt together, we heal together as well." Contrasting intensely heavy moments with joyous and grateful ones, All the Beauty in This Whole Life arrives right on time, to help heal a divided nation through the power of music. "In times of great suffering in the outside world, the most important battles start from within." - Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Brother Ali "Us" (Billboard Magazine, 9/09)

"If you know me, you know I love my family, love my God, proclaims Minneapolis MC Brother Ali at the top of his third album. If you didn't know that, Ali makes sure you do by the end of "Us," on which he holds forth on his Muslim faith, his kids and, in the song "House Keys," how "we really don't need all three of these bedrooms." (The rapper suggests spending the money he and his wife would save by moving into a cheaper apartment at seafood restaurant Red Lobster.) What gives Brother Ali's slice-of-life ruminations their impressive heft is the rapper's eye for everyday detail and the handmade appeal of his vintage funk arrangements. Producer Ant provides him with deeply soulful tracks similar to those he supplies his partner Slug in the hip-hop group Atmosphere. Highlights abound, but the standout track "Best@It" has fiery guest spots from Freeway and Joel Ortiz." - Billboard Magazine, September 2009 (available below). Watch the visuals to the title track below...

Online, HipHopDX gave "Us" a 4.5 star review, saying: "Brother Ali's story is a unique one. Skeptics may wonder how an albino white kid from Minnesota could become one of independent Rap's strongest voices. Yet, Ali stands as one of the genre's most highly-praised artists, defying the odds to make it happen. After battling doubt, ridicule and hardship, he grew out of his teen years with the confidence of a talented emcee and used that same grit to escape from poverty, a painful divorce and strained family ties. All of this has been well documented throughout his previous projects and while his story is an intriguing one, it seems he's ready to shift gears on his latest offering. Now, Ali is transferring his focus to Us, working with longtime collaborator Ant to share the stories of others in an attempt to build on his impressive discography. Marking the release of his third official full-length album, some have doubted that he could satisfy those high expectations. But, that only allows Ali to do what he's always done best: defy the odds..." (Updated).