More than twenty-five years ago Brother Ali stepped on the music scene in the early 2000s as a fresh-faced emcee. As a noted community activist and an early member of Atmosphere’s Rhymesayers Entertainment hip-hop collective, the acclaimed Minneapolis-based independent record label, Brother Ali quickly gained a reputation as one of hip-hop’s most outspoken and profoundly authentic artists for his biting critiques of the U.S. government, white supremacy, and treatment of the working class. Along with his revolutionary politics, Brother Ali’s albinism and legal blindness have made him one of the genre’s most unique, distinguishable, and enduring emcees.

Over the years the Minneapolis-based activist and rapper has a released string of over a dozen critically acclaimed studio albums and mixtapes which have garnered him a reputation for incorporating complex lyricism, honesty, and unapologetic humanity into his music. Much like his other musical contemporaries such as Immortal Technique, an outspoken social justice message is present throughout much of Brother Ali's music. Discussing themes such as racial inequality, slavery, and critiquing the U.S. government has often put him at odds with the greater music industry for the past twenty years. Most recently his vocal support for Palestine and speaking out against genocide in Gaza has affected his career greatly; resulting in him being blackballed by the music industry for over a year.

In today’s episode, Brother Ali joins Step Off! Radio to discuss his new album 'Satisfied Soul' (with long-time collaborator producer Ant of Atmosphere). As well as his early life growing up with albinism, taking shahadah at 15, the origins of his music career, and his thoughts on a litany of social issues taking place both here in the U.S. domestically and abroad. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Brother Ali.