Brother Ali On The Roots Of Hip Hop & Which Aussie Rappers He's Digging

If you’ve been keeping up with the column you’ll know by now I’m a massive advocate of positive change in hip hop. The shallow stereotype of cars and bling, bikinis and drive-bys is only a small strand of the genre (gangsta rap) that we don’t really see on our shores. In fact, we are constantly seeing artists nowadays (particularly in Australian music) using their platform for good.

This includes addressing previously unspoken about taboos and promoting moral and ethical growth in our nation’s community. Recently, we saw an incredibly sad and unfortunate event of a man being shot and killed on site of a Bliss N Eso film set. Whilst it’s important for the media to accurately report details of the incident, we walk a narrow line of stigmatising hip hop further with violence and guns. By drawing focus to the artists themselves (who were not on site at the time), we are unconsciously associating the culture to violence and labelling hip hop as its soundtrack.

When you think of Australian hip hop, where did it start for you? Was it as early as Sound Unlimited Posse? Did Biggie and Tupac make you want to be a gangster? Maybe you just vibed out to Karma (1200 Techniques) or spent your Summer Days with TZU? What’s your perspective on our music’s origin and what sort of influence did it have on your perception? This week I asked an international artist about Australian hip hop and not just anyone... I asked an MC with one of the most colourful perspectives on life itself; Ali Douglas Newman AKA Brother Ali.

"To understand hip hop in its most true and complete context means seeing it as black folk culture that’s been adopted by the world."

Hip hop often champions and glorifies social taboos such as drug abuse or misogyny. Is there a way in which we can educate the next generation in a more positive light?

"To understand hip hop in its most true and complete context means seeing it as black folk culture that’s been adopted by the world. When the black community was controlling the production and landscape of rap music, there was a balance of messages and content. Overtly conscious or political rap played directly along with what the media dubbed “gangsta rap” and the different styles were seen as equal branches of the same tree. It wasn’t until the music industry saw the money that could be made marketing the most basic messages to the mainstream (i.e. white, middle class, teenage boys) that the content of the music shifted. The same is true in Australia. The first hip hop artists were black, brown and poor white kids who talked about a variety of subjects, including colonialism and the theft of their land. That music didn’t catch on in the mainstream and so the party-based artists took the first spots on the airwaves."

Being early February I wanted to ask Ali his take on the Australia Day controversy, however wasn’t sure he was up to speed on the issue... what I unintentionally did however was make more of a point than a question: “We just celebrated Australia Day (January 26, the day Captain Cook landed in Australia). A day in which as a community, we celebrate the world’s biggest voting music competition. Commonly, this is done by brandishing an Australian flag and getting pass-out drunk as it’s a public holiday — it’s blatantly racist and offensive. Whilst not everyone ‘celebrates’ in this manner, our country is disregarding its history and heritage of Indigenous and Aboriginal peoples. We are (unconsciously or not) celebrating mass genocide and disrespecting the traditional land owners... not to mention normalising alcoholism, all in one fell swoop. Are there some words you can share with us on how we can recognise, accept and reconcile our history?"

"I think you said it all."

If you love hip hop like I do, when Brother Ali tells you "you’ve said it all," you know you’re talking about the right shit.

In these troubling times I can’t help but feel as though Australia has a fairly negative political agenda. Our immigration policies are horrible, misogyny and inequality is more prevalent than ever and our racism exists in a manner unfathomable in such an ‘evolved’ (for lack of a better word) era. Political opinion is something you (and more generally American hip hop) have been no stranger to. Is there a possibility of making this voice mainstream and how can we shed the negative stigma associated to challenging power?

"The mainstream is a collaboration between what the business world wants to invest in and what the largest portion of the public wants to consume. I’m not concerned with what I can’t control or do. I’m concerned with trying to polish my own heart and share something of value with whatever portion of the world wants to listen to me. I don’t know how to sell my own music to the mainstream, so I can’t offer advice to anyone else."

Remember that colourful perspective I was talking about?

I wondered if being positive in reflection had always come easy to Ali... Over the years his albums have evolved from confident bravado-esque introductions on Rites Of Passage and Shadows On The Sun to a unifying and positive note on US. Then to a political agenda on Mourning In America And Dreaming In Colour (not to mention his mix-tapes and guest features!). What was the most difficult to write and address and were you apprehensive in its reception?

"Sometimes I’m concerned that sharing too much about other people’s roles in my life stories may hurt them. They didn’t get a say in my telling of those stories and I hope I’ve done them justice," Ali says.

If you’re a stranger to Ali’s selfless and altruistic nature I strongly encourage you to check him out (you may have heard him on Hilltop Hoods' recent single Live & Let Go). I’ve read the new album is about having a connection with and understanding love as a concept. Is this something that’s changed in your life of recent? How have you found love in places when the world is currently in such an ugly/dark place?

"Truth, love and virtue are directly connected to beauty which communicates all of those things. But beauty goes unseen by people who’s hearts are veiled by ego, greed, jealousy, fear, hatred and false notions of what’s real. So the key to experiencing the beauty that surrounds us is getting the heart right. All social justice, struggle and service to others and good work of all kinds emanate from the heart. That work will be as pure or as compromised as the hearts behind it."

It’s inspiring to hear someone so eloquently recognise where positive change begins... But I also didn’t want him to start thinking it’s all doom and gloom. You’re on tour with one of the most prolific lyricists (and fellow label artist) around, Atmosphere. How do you feel sharing the stage with Slug and Ant? Are we going to see some freestyles and collaborations?

"I love those guys because they taught me how to make art out of my truth and make a living with that art. I learn something new from them every day. If Slug’s in the mood, he’ll ask me on stage to do some of our songs together or freestyle together. Those are always special moments for me."

What about Australian artists? Do you have any favourite musicians from down under (hip hop or otherwise) you’ve been feeling?

"I really like Briggs, Hau and Kween G."

Clearly his taste in music is on point too.

Head to theGuide for full details on Brother Ali's Australian tour later this month.