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.
Victory!
Brother Ali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Victory
Ours are the cries that breathe life in the concrete
Victory
Ours are the tears that splash genius at God's feet
Victory
Ours are the prayers that weave poetry through drum beats
Victory
[ VERSE 1: Brother Ali ]
Step inside the mind of a soon-to-be legendary
Straight paramilitary
Brother Ali exist to read the scripture, it's never read
Whoever said this underground hip-hop shit is dead
Must have fallen on his head
Spent my lifetime buildin
Writin rhymes I remind rappers of everything that scared them as children
They call me show stopper
No opera singer has hit the exact pitch, I spit my flow out of
Taught directly by the source of all knowledge
You don't affect me till you're forced to draw powers
Respect me as a voice amongst scholars
Who speak deep to thee, move the sleep from your eye lids
Make your lungs flutter
Get it right, my inner light cast shadows on the sun, brother
I'm where the rubber meets the concrete
It's a cold world, not sayin bring your your own heat
I'm just sayin don't sleep
I'm walkin with the lion till the day that I die
And the pens have been lifted and the pages have dried
And a big smoke screen wrote my name in the sky
Politickin with the angels knowin they would reply
Got the lungs of a cyclone, tongue of a python
The reason why your favorite MC sleep with the lights on
Right on, brother, we def as fuck
Not 'deaf' like (What?) but 'def' like (WHAT!)
From the depths around the planet where my name's spoken
We here to get our brains open and our chains broken
Watch me walk around the planet with the same notion
His adversaries thought the pain broke him
But we run up in a stadium with diagnostics
Two tables and a mic and take a crowd hostage
And the very first item on my list of demands
Is that all these freedom fighters start liftin they hands
[ CHORUS ]
To my freedom fighters and the graffiti writers
And the people like us - come forward
And to the torch carriers speakin Arabic
Ridin on your charriots - come forward
To my political prisoners, individual listeners
Who feelin this - come forward
And to the bone shakers and the home makers
Raisin our own saviors - come forward
[ VERSE 2: Brother Ali ]
Me and my people are signed, sealed, delivered, incorporated
brought to your by Rhymesayers Entertainment
You got to face it, we not complacent
We came for your debasement and left your face bent
And me, mister Brother Ali is the stomp-down-beat-kicker
Who walkin the streets with the so real philosophy
Until I fulfill prophecy there's no real stoppin me
Obviously I'm the bomb, believe me
Opponents come up missin and they all beneath me
I know my soldiers need me, they call and beep me
I walk the streets freely with ( ? ) beneath me, boy
We stays gettin it on
Act hard and I probably make you strip to your thong
Dissin your song and feel you mouth to fist when you yawn
Nibblin on a rapper till the gristle is gone
I stand and sing from atop Mount Ararat
I am a king, just ain't got my kingdom yet
And my anthem ring from the Congo to your set
I'm Alfred Hitchcock with my silhouette
Pourin Blood On Beats till the trumpet is blown
Coffins, I release em when I'm up in the zone
Fortune favors the brave and press on is the motto
Cast shadows on the sun with my bravado
[ CHORUS ]
"Victory!" is a song by Brother Ali that was released in 2003. The song speaks of what victory means, and how the oppressed can take power from those who have oppressed them. The chorus states that victory is owned by those who cry, pray, and shed tears. This suggests that victory belongs to the oppressed, who have suffered much, but never lost their hope to win. Brother Ali describes himself as a paramilitary soldier who exists to read the scriptures that were never read. He is someone who reminds other rappers of what used to scare them as children. He was taught directly by the source of all knowledge and now speaks deep to others to awaken them from their slumber. He claims to have the lungs of a cyclone and the tongue of a python, and he is where the rubber meets the concrete. He wants to walk with the lion until the day he dies.
The chorus repeats throughout the song, and its message is clear: victory belongs to those who fight. Victory is not something that is given but is earned through tears, prayers, and sweat. The song's message is of hope and encouragement to those who feel oppressed and downtrodden, and it is a call to action for those who want to make positive changes in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Victory
We have succeeded
Ours are the cries that breathe life in the concrete
Our struggles and cries give meaning to the harsh realities of life
Victory
We have succeeded
Ours are the tears that splash genius at God's feet
Our tears and suffering make God aware of our genius and potential
Victory
We have succeeded
Ours are the prayers that weave poetry through drum beats
Our prayers and hopes reflect in our music and give it deeper meaning
Victory
We have succeeded
Step inside the mind of a soon-to-be legendary
Come and see inside the mind of someone destined for greatness
Straight paramilitary
I am unapologetically militant in my beliefs
Brother Ali exist to read the scripture, it's never read
I am here to speak truth and raise awareness about issues often ignored
Whoever said this underground hip-hop shit is dead
Anyone who denies the power and relevance of underground hip-hop is mistaken
Must have fallen on his head
They must be crazy or unaware of what's really going on
Spent my lifetime buildin
I've dedicated my life to becoming a great artist and activist
Writin rhymes I remind rappers of everything that scared them as children
My lyrics confront the fears and insecurities that many rappers have
They call me show stopper
I am known for putting on amazing performances
No opera singer has hit the exact pitch, I spit my flow out of
My vocal delivery is unique and unmatched by anyone else
Taught directly by the source of all knowledge
I am inspired and taught by a higher power
You don't affect me till you're forced to draw powers
I am not intimidated or affected by anyone until they reveal their true strength
Respect me as a voice amongst scholars
I should be respected as a knowledgeable and insightful voice among intellectuals
Who speak deep to thee, move the sleep from your eye lids
My words are powerful and can help awaken people from their apathy
Make your lungs flutter
My words and energy can take your breath away
Get it right, my inner light cast shadows on the sun, brother
My inner spirit is so powerful that it can even overshadow the sun
I'm where the rubber meets the concrete
I am grounded and connected to the realities of life
It's a cold world, not sayin bring your your own heat
I'm not advocating for violence, but acknowledging the harshness of the world
I'm just sayin don't sleep
Stay vigilant and aware at all times
I'm walkin with the lion till the day that I die
I am brave and unafraid, walking alongside other like-minded individuals until the end
And the pens have been lifted and the pages have dried
Once I've spoken and shared my message, it becomes permanent and unchanging
And a big smoke screen wrote my name in the sky
My legacy and impact will be remembered and recognized, even in the clouds above
Politickin with the angels knowin they would reply
I am in communication with higher powers and have faith in their response
Got the lungs of a cyclone, tongue of a python
I have the strength and power to speak with conviction and authority
The reason why your favorite MC sleep with the lights on
Other rappers are afraid of my talent and impact
Right on, brother, we def as fuck
We are confident and strong
Not 'deaf' like (What?) but 'def' like (WHAT!)
We are not hearing-impaired, but determined and unstoppable
From the depths around the planet where my name's spoken
My impact and legacy stretches far and wide
We here to get our brains open and our chains broken
We are fighting for liberation and freedom, both mentally and physically
Watch me walk around the planet with the same notion
I am consistent and determined in my message and approach
His adversaries thought the pain broke him
Those who opposed me thought they had defeated me with suffering and hardship
But we run up in a stadium with diagnostics
We can take on any challenge or opposition, even in a huge and intimidating setting
Two tables and a mic and take a crowd hostage
We are confident in our abilities to captivate and influence audiences
And the very first item on my list of demands
My priorities and goals are clear and focused
Is that all these freedom fighters start liftin they hands
We need to stand up and fight for our liberation and rights
To my freedom fighters and the graffiti writers
I am addressing all those who fight for change and self-expression
And the people like us - come forward
Join us and stand with us in our mission
And to the torch carriers speakin Arabic
I am specifically calling out and acknowledging those who carry on cultural and linguistic traditions
Ridin on your charriots - come forward
Come and join us in our journey towards freedom and justice
To my political prisoners, individual listeners
I am addressing those who have been oppressed or are still fighting for their rights
Who feelin this - come forward
Join us in our movement
And to the bone shakers and the home makers
I am addressing those who face hardships and struggles but still persevere
Raisin our own saviors - come forward
We need to support and lift up each other in our struggles
Me and my people are signed, sealed, delivered, incorporated
We are organized and united in our mission
brought to your by Rhymesayers Entertainment
Our music and message is being brought to you by our record label
You got to face it, we not complacent
We are not satisfied with the status quo and are committed to change
We came for your debasement and left your face bent
We are fighting against oppression and will not let it prevail
And me, mister Brother Ali is the stomp-down-beat-kicker
I am a powerful and impactful musician and activist
Who walkin the streets with the so real philosophy
I am grounded in reality and speak truth to power
Until I fulfill prophecy there's no real stoppin me
I am fulfilling my destiny and nothing can stand in my way
Obviously I'm the bomb, believe me
I am powerful and explosive in my impact
Opponents come up missin and they all beneath me
Those who oppose me are defeated and diminished in my wake
I know my soldiers need me, they call and beep me
I am recognized and needed by those fighting alongside me
I walk the streets freely with ( ? ) beneath me, boy
I am unafraid and confident in my approach
We stays gettin it on
We are constantly working and fighting for change and justice
Act hard and I probably make you strip to your thong
I am not intimidated by anyone and will stand up for my beliefs
Dissin your song and feel you mouth to fist when you yawn
I will not tolerate disrespect and will fight back
Nibblin on a rapper till the gristle is gone
I will not let anyone stand in my way and will wear them down until they submit
I stand and sing from atop Mount Ararat
I am firmly planted and will not be moved or silenced
I am a king, just ain't got my kingdom yet
I am powerful and influential, but still have a ways to go in achieving my full potential
And my anthem ring from the Congo to your set
My message and impact is felt and recognized around the world
I'm Alfred Hitchcock with my silhouette
I am masterful and skilled in my craft and approach
Pourin Blood On Beats till the trumpet is blown
I am making powerful music that will continue to resonate and inspire for generations
Coffins, I release em when I'm up in the zone
I am not afraid of death and will continue to push forward no matter what
Fortune favors the brave and press on is the motto
Success comes to those who are brave and persistent
Cast shadows on the sun with my bravado
My strength and confidence can even overshadow the sun itself
Lyrics © NAFSIN WAHEEDAH MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThePlasticHearts
brother ali always kills it.
@NotoriousJOS1971
How am I only discovering this now? Ali goes hard
@trksanhoes
🎯💯🤺
👍🏿👍🏿✊🏿💪🏿
@suicide_king6804
Remind rappers of everything that scared them as children....godamn son goin deep.
@suicide_king6804
That real shit.
@everyman1
Pumped!
@imbigfanofcats124
yeeee tory