The Spiritual Creative - Hip-Hop Legend Brother Ali
Brother Ali
Photo by Mike Madison
What does it take to be a successful artist? How does an artist create work that speaks to others? Where does that creativity originate? Some say artistic talent is a gift you either have or have not. Others say it’s an expression of your spiritual state. But how do we harness that creativity and ensure its continuance?
In this interview with hip-hop artist Brother Ali, we explore these questions and find insights into the daily life of an artist. He discusses what the touring lifestyle is like, how he grounds himself while traveling, and the importance of Islam in his life and in his creative pursuits. Ali describes his process for creating songs and albums, how he pushes himself to get out of his creative comfort zone, and the collaboration process with other artists and producers. Later in the interview, Ali dives deep into the role music and art have on informing the human experience and expression.
For two decades, Brother Ali has earned wide critical acclaim for his deeply personal, socially conscious, and inspiring brand of hip-hop. Under Rhymesayers Entertainment, he’s unleashed a series of lauded projects, establishing himself as one of the most respected independent voices in music.
Topics Discussed: Studying and teaching Islam, the daily routine of being on tour, creative exercises, home life, normal creative time vs. album-mode, creating a song and album, overcoming your creative crutches, collaborating with others, self-exploration through art, taking music from a passion to a profession, how to be a successful creative, failure, learning to grow, the importance of gratitude and spirituality, overcoming failure, engaging with the audience during a show, how the audience brings their own interpretation to music and a show, maintaining a personal life as an artist, the impact of modernity on art, communicating through art in a material world, stage presence.
People, Organizations, and Resources Mentioned: Atmosphere, The Undisputed Truth, Walking Away, Freedom Ain’t Free, Here, Uncle Sam Goddamn, Blank Tape Beloved, Ant, Slug, El-P, Run the Jewels, Macklemore, Migos, J. Cole, Drake, Kanye West, Quincy Jones, Thriller, James Brown, First Avenue
You can find out more about Brother Ali and his music at https://rhymesayers.com/artists/brotherali
You can follow Brother Ali on Twitter and on Instagram.
“Being creative is a spiritual journey… You have to have spiritual reasons for doing what you’re doing. When I say spiritual, I mean not material. And the material also includes status. So if you’re doing what you’re doing to be powerful, wealthy, to have status… you’re not going to be creative and you can just forget it.”
-Brother Ali on the importance of acknowledging your motivations for being creative and its impact on your effectiveness.