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.
Whatcha Got
Brother Ali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I came in the door nineteen eighty four
Paint on the wall got chased by the law
Once got soul in the place full of flow
Was never given the zone had to create my own
As clean as the nose on my face that I placed on the stone
Had to stake my claim to the thrown
Ain't no mistaken the sacred in his tone
Ya'll act like seeing is a new sport
Your too inexperienced your teeth are too short
Every culture has a right to passage
You wanna bypass it and sell me your practice
One for the lunch money
I dont run from you punch-drunk dummies
I invite you all to come for me
I said I'd shot hungry when it wasn't sunny
I been here long after y'all are done humpin'
Talk to me when you've done somthing
Other than swing back n' forth from hating to nut pumping
No, all criticism isn't constructive
Some need to be destructed, your done with
And either you retire to the sideline
or imbrace this time, this rhyme with your eyes wide open
Shit won't have to earn them accolades
A-N-T gonna take you all back to phase one
[Chorus:]
Yes Yes y'all you dont stop
Now come alive A-N-T and give me what you got
Brother Ali rock shock the house we most definitely
We bout to turn your doubt y'all
A yes yes y'all and you dont dare stop
Well come alive A-N-T and give me what you got
Brother Ali rock shocking the house we most definitely
[scratching:] (the way I feel now I just got to rock)
[Verse 2:]
Ya'll ain't heard nothing I gave you your first lesson
From what you discussin' over the percussion you
Never compare to me
You a parent tearin, repeating what you hear fly through the airwaves
carelessly
The meaning get lost in translation
You a copy of the authors first page
Counterfeit money, only get it in small denomination
You'll never be prominent - face it your imitation
Equal sacrament, sea bass generic ass
Sprayin' through closed concerts simulacrum
We used to distribute our music ourselves
Our records shouldn't even be held on the same shelve
Its bad enough they put y'all with 'rock the bells'
Clean shaven culture we're best to be involved in it
Ya'll will sqaunder in it
No need to think for a minute by pushing limits
you can see a pond to fish in
And you will get strangled by your lines
Whether your anger lingers sayin' ryhmes in due time
Send your dues back to shoe shines and clip them coupons
You a ?? lie to you open your brew on
You slither out from under a rock
and then present yourself for something you not
But brother you jock
Try true hip hop Preston forgot
Swing it on the first fight and mother fucker I spot
What up! Not
I would love nothing more than to bust your box
and blood clot a porn spot
Three things I got I love'em alot
Do anything to protect them from the vultures of block
Hover above on the block, you mother fuckers better not
[Chorus:]
Yes Yes y'all you dont dare stop
Now come alive A-N-T and give me what you got!
Brother Ali rock shock the house most definitely
We gonna turn your doubt y'all
Yes yes y'all you dont dare stop
Well come alive A-N-T and give me what you got!
Brother Ali rock shock the house most definitely
We bout to turn you out y'all
[Verse 3:]
The champion is back with his man again
Crack the book open and fill another chapter in
And we just wont stop come alive rhymesayer give me what you got Ah!
[scratching til fade: 'the way I feel I just got to rock']
Brother Ali's song "Whatcha Got" is a powerful statement about his own journey in the music industry as well as a critique of the contemporary rap scene. In the first verse, he talks about how he had to create his own lane in the industry rather than waiting for someone to give him a chance. He also takes aim at the idea that some people want to bypass the traditional rites of passage in hip hop culture and just sell their art without putting in the work. He describes his own commitment to the craft, saying that he was "here long after y'all are done humpin'" and inviting others to come for him so he can show them what he's made of. The chorus is a call to action for others to bring their best and give it their all, with Ali promising to "rock shock the house."
In the second verse, Ali takes a more aggressive tone, criticizing those who try to emulate his style without understanding the meaning behind it. He accuses them of being "counterfeit" and "imitation," and suggests that they will never be truly "prominent." He also takes issue with the commercialization of hip hop, saying that his records shouldn't be held on the same shelves as those who are just trying to make a quick buck. As he continues, he becomes more and more forceful in his delivery, ultimately challenging those who would try to steal his thunder, saying that "you mother fuckers better not."
Overall, "Whatcha Got" is a call to arms for anyone who wants to make it in the music industry on their own terms. It's a reminder that there are no shortcuts, and that hard work and dedication are the only things that will help you succeed. At the same time, it's a critique of the music industry itself, and a warning to those who would try to take shortcuts. Ultimately, Brother Ali's message is one of empowerment, urging his listeners to embrace their own uniqueness and to use it to create something truly meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
I came in the door nineteen eighty four
Brother Ali started his career in hip hop in 1984.
Paint on the wall got chased by the law
Ali was involved in graffiti and was chased by the police for this.
Once got soul in the place full of flow
Even though he faced challenges, Ali found inspiration and creativity in the hip hop scene.
Was never given the zone had to create my own
Ali had to carve out his own space in the industry and was not handed opportunities.
As clean as the nose on my face that I placed on the stone
Ali is authentic and genuine in his music and identity.
Had to stake my claim to the thrown
Ali had to assert himself and claim his position as a respected artist in hip hop.
Ain't no mistaken the sacred in his tone
Ali's music has a deeper meaning and purpose, a sacredness.
Ali the new name by which greatness is known
Brother Ali is a rising star in hip hop, with a reputation for great music.
Ya'll act like seeing is a new sport
People are distracted by visual media like movies and TV, rather than recognizing the value of music and lyrics.
Your too inexperienced your teeth are too short
Newcomers to the hip hop scene are not yet skilled or knowledgeable enough to truly appreciate or create great music.
Every culture has a right to passage
Every community and culture has its own traditions and ways of recognizing and celebrating growth and development.
You wanna bypass it and sell me your practice
Some artists try to shortcut the traditional process and sell their music without truly understanding or valuing the culture they are a part of.
One for the lunch money
Ali is not intimidated by other artists who try to challenge him and take his success for themselves.
I dont run from you punch-drunk dummies
Ali is not afraid of confrontation and stands up for himself and his music.
I invite you all to come for me
Ali welcomes criticism and competition to make himself and his music better.
I said I'd shot hungry when it wasn't sunny
Ali has worked hard and put forth his best effort, even when circumstances are difficult.
I been here long after y'all are done humpin'
Ali plans to have a long career and continue making great music, even after other artists have faded.
Talk to me when you've done somthing
Ali challenges other artists to be productive and make something meaningful.
Other than swing back n' forth from hating to nut pumping
Ali sees other artists as being too focused on negativity and shallow materialism.
No, all criticism isn't constructive
Ali recognizes that some criticism is not meant to be helpful or productive.
Some need to be destructed, your done with
Ali believes that some artists need to be criticized harshly and removed from the industry altogether.
And either you retire to the sideline
Artists who cannot handle criticism or improvement should step out of the limelight and not try to compete.
or imbrace this time, this rhyme with your eyes wide open
Ali encourages other artists to learn from him and embrace the skills and knowledge he has gained.
Shit won't have to earn them accolades
Ali does not need to rely on external recognition to validate his music or his talent.
A-N-T gonna take you all back to phase one
Ali's group, Ant, has the power to mentor and guide other artists back to the beginning to learn the fundamentals of hip hop.
Yes Yes y'all you dont stop
The chorus of the song is a call to action and a declaration of power and energy.
Now come alive A-N-T and give me what you got
Ali wants his audience to be engaged and enthusiastic, and to contribute their own energy and creativity.
Brother Ali rock shock the house we most definitely
Ali is confident in his ability to make great music and have a powerful impact on his listeners.
We bout to turn your doubt y'all
Ali wants to challenge and overcome any doubts or skepticism that his audience may have about his music.
Well come alive A-N-T and give me what you got
Ali repeats his chorus, inviting his audience to join him in creating and enjoying hip hop music.
The champion is back with his man again
Ali is confident, powerful, and respected in the hip hop industry.
Crack the book open and fill another chapter in
Ali sees each new project as an opportunity to explore new ideas and push his music further.
And we just wont stop come alive rhymesayer give me what you got Ah!
Ali ends the song with a call to his audience to keep the energy and creativity flowing, and to keep exploring and innovating in hip hop music.
Contributed by Alexis L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.