Mesh Magazine

Show Review + Brother Ali Talks on Recent Tour With Rap Legends
By David Ma
Photos By Misa Nguyen

Rakim, Ghostface, and Brother Ali played two nights (November 1st @ The Catalyst & the 2nd @ The Mezzanine) here in the Bay last week. In addition, all three acts were backed by a very solid ten-piece band, The Rhythm Roots All-Stars.

Brother Ali, usually the headliner, was the opener this time around. Ghostface, whose career is shaping up to be quite epic, opened for Rakim; who is possibly the most revered rapper ever. Thankfully, their stop at The Catalyst was an impressive one.

Ghostface did verses from 36 Chambers, and selected solo verses, including a cover of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”. The exuberant performance was preceded with a speech about ODB, adding weight and character to the performance. He also took time to acknowledge Rakim’s influence on his own career before finishing, stating that “he wouldn’t even be here without Rakim’s influence”.

Rakim was Rakim. Being the most quoted rapper alive means that your words are immediately familiar, even amongst a crowd that’s too young to tell. From “Paid In Full” to “Mahogany”, Rakim was all quotables. He performed without the clamor of an entourage, delivering lines that were written two decades ago without a shaky syllable. Rakim was, still is, and will be, an emcee with sharp lines that don’t seem to lose relevance with time.

As the opener, a fan, and successful rapper, Brother Ali spoke to Mesh the day of the show. After the jump are his thoughts on a tour that’s merging different eras of hip-hop with class and vigor.


How is being on the road with such respected rappers, Ali?
It’s been amazing, an honor really.

What about Rakim struck you as a listener?
I heard him for the first time in about ’86 or ’87. I had only listened to hip-hop for a few years at the time, and Melle Mel was my favorite emcee then. I’ve always liked serious rappers. But Rakim wasn’t just a rapper; he was a writer. So when you heard Rakim, it was unlike any before him. Most rappers before him were loud; he was quiet and wasn’t yelling at you. He wasn’t forceful and can just captivate you with what he was sayin’. He has so many songs that are masterpieces. His personality on record alone was revolutionary.

Explain the differences between being a writer and a rapper is?
I don’t think anyone’s been more elaborate than Rakim, and that’s one reason. I think he’s been matched from time to time, but his words do not get old. That’s what I think a writer is. You forget about rappers, or you just dig a song of theirs. But a writer, you remember the impression their words made on you. His words still make sense today.

How’s touring with Ghostface?
He’s a legend in his own sense too. He started out as a member of a revolutionary and renegade group, but he’s just gotten better. The way he writes, records, and performs is based on him as a person. I think as he gets older, he’s become more in tuned with himself, and as long as he continues to reflect that honestly, he’s gonna be good. At this point, he’s gonna be good for a real long time, unless something happens.

Is Ghost as extroverted and unpredictable as he seems?
That’s hard for me to say. He’s nice and real normal every time I’ve talked to him. He’s a professional. It’s definitely a blessing to kick it with him. I’ll tell you, after a few minutes you become comfortable, and you don’t feel star-struck ‘cause he’s just a normal cat.

How’s Rakim off stage?
Classy. I mean, he’s definitely a dude from the street. He was one of the first, an OG, so I was a bit nervous. He really understands his power. He knows what his work has done, but he’s not cocky or arrogant at all. He’s gracious about his time and signs anything anyone asks.

It seemed like kids are more familiar with your songs than Rakim’s. How does that make you feel?
It’s an age thing. I make stuff that isn’t all over magazines or TV, but I’m still able to sell records. I mean, people are actually supporting by going to a store and physically picking up my stuff and I think that’s amazing. I’m honest first and foremost through my music, so when kids like it, I feel like there’s an actual connection with me and the audience. I felt that way when I heard Rakim rap. Give ‘em time, they’ll get it.

What’s up with you? How’s the response been to the new album?
Great. I’m just really grateful for the support and love. This tour, this opportunity to perform with these legends itself is amazing.
New projects?
I don’t get a chance to write on tour, but I should be hitting the studio with ANT when I get back. I do have another EP’s worth of some stuff we might release soon. This tour had a lot of weight behind it. What do you think about it? Well, when you go to rap shows with “legends” performing, it’s cool to hear these songs live. But to see a forty-year old dude on stage talking about “shoo-wop-a-hippy-hip-hop”, isn’t as great as when you were younger. It’s silly actually. You know what I mean? With Ghost and Rakim, they’re still artists on stage that is still exciting to see without sounding dated. It’s an important tour for young people to see Rakim, who’s inspired people like me and Ghostface.

Good luck with the rest of the tour, and congratulations on your success.
Thanks Dave. It’s a blessing. I mean, who knows when a tour like this will happen again?

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Music, Interviews, Live Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.