This does not look like a guy who can rap. He can though. And well.
The other day a buddy of mine from Saint Martin's, Billy Naylor, posted this video on his Facebook.
Honestly, I wasn't impressed. At first I thought, "Who does this white guy think he is? Another Cauc(asian) trying to be gangsta. Pathetic."
But I watched to the end. Then watched again. I couldn't put my finger on it but this guy was different. I think it's because he realizes, like any good rapper, that you can't fake hip-hop. You can't imitate or cheat lyrical ability. You either have it or you don't.
A few days later I was listening to NPR's All Songs Considered and guess who pops up as one of this weeks picks? None other than B. Ali.
It was then that I learned Brother Ali is a blind, albino Minnesota-born convert to Islam who's know for his poignant and emotionally evocative rhymes.
Wow. I wouldn't have guessed all that from looking at him. I kinda felt like a douche to tell ya the truth.
Check out this video:
Awesome lyric: "Only APPROVED questions get asked."
I love it when hip-hop artists act like artists and actually SAY something rather than acting like a bunch of drunken horny circus clowns.
I'm gonna keep my eye on this guy. His next project is with super-talented Seattle-based producer Jake One so I'm pretty sure that joint's going to be off the hook as well.
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