I've been meaning to check for Brother Ali but just haven't gotten around to it. I've heard his name called by CJLO peers and on domino tables over the last four years, but haven't moved. I've heard the words Undisputed Truth and slamming album mentioned in the same breath, but haven't heard it. I've been at the station, heard songs, asked who did it, found out it was Brother Ali and have yet to follow through. When I found out the Breakin' Dawn Tour was reaching Les Foufounes Électriques in early April, I knew it was the chance for me to get familiar.
I found out a little too late that Brother Ali was visiting CJLO for a live session hours before show time. I had spent hours at the station prior to his session and was comfy on the sofa when the news hit me.
There was already a mighty healthy crowd in front of the stage when I arrived at Foufs, and I was early. The DJ (DJ Cosmo) was having so much fun warming up the crowd that he was smiling and clowning with every track he played. The crowd seemed to enjoy it and I was feeling the selections.
Vision was the first artist to take the stage with a unique spoken-word poetic delivery. The New York native performed well for someone that was under the weather. No one would have known had he not told us.
Local hero Narcicyst stepped up to a warm reception. I was happy to see him like the crowd surrounding me, but was not happy he stepped off without performing P.H.A.T.W.A.
That night, I found out Fashawn was born in 1988, one of hip hop's greatest years for musical output. Aside from being very young, his talent is impressive. I tripped when I heard Life as a Shawty for the first time and was hype for him to perform it live on Montreal soil. All going well, Fashawn can indeed be a future bright light in hip hop. He had surprising stage presence and I was pleased with his set. Unlike Wale, who has proven to be more style than substance at this time, Fashawn's lyrics are insightful and heartfelt.
Brother Ali had everything he needed to rock the house courtesy of the organizers, DJs & MCs that performed before him and the hip hop hungry crowd. It was time for the main man to take the stage. I saw the much talked about and highly praised MC in front of me and can safely say I knew he was going to do well before he performed his first song.
Naturally, I knew next to none of the songs he performed, except for Uncle Sam Goddamn. I asked crew around me for some song titles and in some cases checked the merch table to see what album the songs were on.
Brother Ali was real and authentic which was even more refreshing for me. At this point, I need as much of a real deal from music as possible and he did more than deliver. Since the concert, I've listened to Brother Ali tracks many times and started telling people I know that haven't checked, moved, heard, followed through or gotten around to him that he's nice. What else can you do when the truth is undisputed?
Review by:
DJ Solespin
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