In spring of 2000, Ali dropped a sixty-minute story telling and thought sharing album titled, Rites of Passage on Rhymesayers Entertainment. The self-produced cassette-only anthology introduced Brother Ali's beat making muscles and extensive writing skills. He played the congas, beat-boxed and still found time to lay out his views on the music industry, religion and urban life in America.
On stage with only a DJ, Ali's magical gift for capturing the imagination of his audience has been compared to that of a gospel preacher. His voice, large stature and albino features make him a unique and commanding presence. Brother Ali has perfected the live performance, having played countless shows with: Guru, Mos Def, De La Soul, El-P, Aceyalone, Souls of Mischief and Living Legends just to name a few. From September through November 2002, Ali earned his final road-dog tags showcasing his individual skills performing 63 shows in 71 days with Atmosphere and Murs covering North America.
Brother Ali has maintained credibility over time with guest appearances on many such projects as: DJ Abilities', For Persons With DJ Abilities, BK One's, For the Love of Music, The Phoenix with Musab on the Twin Cities Music Year Book 2001 CD, producing six songs on Musab's, Respect The Life album and battling in the 2000 and 2001 finals in the annual Scribble Jam MC Battles (Ali is featured on three of the Scribble Jam videos: Scribble Jam 2000, Scribble Jam 2001 and the Best of Scribble Jam).
Ali joined producer Ant (of Atmosphere fame) and went to work creating an intensely powerful album that promised to be one of the foremost efforts of 2003. Shadows on the Sun is an eighteen-song album produced by Ant, written by Brother Ali and featuring a guest appearance by Slug (also of Atmosphere). Shadows on the Sun is a testament of Ali's depth, range and growth as an artist.
Following the release of Champion in the spring of 2004, Ali ran into a number of roadblocks that halted his usually steady recording process. This included him parting ways with his wife, being homeless, and trying to secure custody of his son. Armed with a wave of stories to share, Ali recorded The Undisputed Truth, once again with Ant in his corner. In 2009 he released Us, his fourth studio album. Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, his fifth studio album, was released on September 18, 2012.
Freedom Ain't Free
Brother Ali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no where to run
There ain't nothing here for free
[Verse 1:]
I don't like my life I gut it, rebuild it, fuck it
Keep nothing but God and my children
I kill the devil wherever he resides
I killed little Jason he was only fifteen
Sewd his good traits together, made Ali
Feeled his lungs with the Koran until he breathe
Let him walk but kept him on a short leash
Here he stand now seventeen year old man child
Ain't ask nobody for a mother fucking hand out
He trying to carry heaven on his back
Jumped the broom with a stranger, he ain't never look back
What he know about how the world spin?
Bless his heart he a virgin never even had a girlfriend
Want to be a man so bad that he can taste it
His family fell apart and he's tryin' to replace it
You'll find in him a heart that is second to none
But I know old soul that his lessons ain't done so
I stand willing to kill him again
If to grow he got to shed his skin then let it be done
[Chorus]
Ain't no where to run
There ain't nothing here for free
See what I see and know that freedom ain't free lord
Ain't no where to run
There ain't nothing here for free
He'll see what I see and know that freedom ain't free
[Verse 2:]
One half of all the two leggeds on the scene are too timid to dream
Cause failure is far too depressing it would seem
So they take what's given
That's your decison, I just don't consider that living
Shit if I'ma die whether or not I try
I might as well let the dice fly
I'm hot knifed through butter in the night sky
It shouldn't take a genius to see there's hunger in my eye
So I use blood and sweat to butter my bread
Cause this cold world couldn't give a fuck if I'm fed
I ain't curled up in my bed
If I don't set the world ablaze trust it ain't because of nothing I did
Listen I don't think God's obligated to touch you
If your ass would rather live in shit than work a shovel
I refuse to let the sun set on me again
Til' the end I'm a one man army, friend
[Chorus x2]
Ain't no where to run
There ain't nothing here for free
See what I see and know that freedom ain't free lord
Ain't no where to run
There ain't nothing here for free
You'll see what I see and know that freedom ain't free
The chorus in Brother Ali's song 'Freedom Ain't Free' sets the tone of the song by emphasizing the notion that one can't run from the hardships that come with life, and nothing is free. Brother Ali talks about rebuilding his life and following God, despite his struggles with the devil. He mentions that he killed a young boy named Jason, who was only fifteen years old and used his good traits to create a new persona for himself - Ali. He even made Jason breathe in the Koran to purify him. This showcases Ali's belief in second chances and the idea of purifying oneself through religion.
In the second verse of the song, Brother Ali talks about how many individuals choose to take what is given to them rather than creating their path towards their desired future because failure is too depressing for them. He mentions that he would rather try and fail than never try at all. He emphasizes that he is willing to put in the hard work required to succeed and feed himself in a cold world that doesn't care about his well-being. In the end, Brother Ali chooses to fight his own battles and survive in his own way, and he refuses to let anyone stop him.
Overall, Brother Ali's song emphasizes the idea that nothing is free in life, and every individual must fight for their own freedom. The song encourages individuals to be strong and determined, even when faced with adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no where to run
There is no escape from reality.
There ain't nothing here for free
Everything has a price, whether it be monetary or personal sacrifice.
I don't like my life I gut it, rebuild it, fuck it
The singer is dissatisfied with their current lifestyle and is willing to make drastic changes to improve it.
Keep nothing but God and my children
The artist values only their spiritual beliefs and family above all else.
I kill the devil wherever he resides
The artist opposes evil and will do whatever it takes to fight it.
Even if he hotter than me he got to die
The singer will not back down even against seemingly insurmountable odds.
I killed little Jason he was only fifteen
The singer has faced difficult or traumatic circumstances in the past.
Sewd his good traits together, made Ali
The artist has learned from past experiences and used them to better themselves.
Feeled his lungs with the Koran until he breathe
The artist finds solace and strength in their spirituality.
Let him walk but kept him on a short leash
The artist allows themselves or others some freedom but always maintains control.
Here he stand now seventeen year old man child
The singer has grown and matured but still feels some sense of personal or emotional immaturity.
he's tryin' to replace it
The artist has lost their family, whether literally or figuratively, and is trying to fill that void.
You'll find in him a heart that is second to none
The singer or another person possesses a strong and compassionate heart.
But I know old soul that his lessons ain't done so
The singer believes that they or another person still have much to learn from life.
One half of all the two leggeds on the scene are too timid to dream
Many people are too afraid to pursue their ambitions or aspirations.
Cause failure is far too depressing it would seem
People fear failure because they believe it would be too emotionally challenging to handle.
So they take what's given
People settle for what they have or what they are given instead of striving for more.
That's your decision, I just don't consider that living
The singer believes that people should live more intentionally and with greater purpose.
I might as well let the dice fly
The singer will take risks, as the outcome of their actions is uncertain either way.
Cause this cold world couldn't give a fuck if I'm fed
The world is indifferent to the artist's personal welfare.
If I don't set the world ablaze trust it ain't because of nothing I did
The artist is actively trying to make a difference but recognizes that it may not always work out as planned.
I refuse to let the sun set on me again
The artist will not let their life stagnate or become stagnant again.
Til' the end I'm a one man army, friend
The singer will rely only on themselves to achieve their goals and make their dreams a reality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALLEN ANTHONY RICHARDSON, SHAUN BIVENS, TONY PROVIDENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind