i sure do like brother ali's latest, us. it has tons of jazz, funk, and great beats throughout. it has a track about childhood hardship that starts with a verse about a somali girl in minneap and ends with a story about a gay boy. another about a woman who was sexually violated in her past and yet another contextualizing slavery for todays generation.

it is rare indeed to find a straight 'white' guy so understanding of gay, race and gender issues. and all three in one to boot. he is credible and thus powerful because he speaks beautifully from his own perspective, telling no-ones truths but his own. for example, in 'babygirl' he states, 'how can she can find peace in her mind, when love means returning to the scene of a crime. i can feel it inside, we re-open wounds every time we intertwine.' not many hip hop guys have the guts to say that shit. what makes these tracks outstanding is the varied and satisfying music, that leaves me to find their versus on my lips sporadically throughout the day.

lastly, and unrelated, i most definitely have a crush on tina turner.