All the Beauty in This Whole Life
Brother Ali · 2017
61 min · 15 tracks · hip-hop
A reflective blend of introspective lyrics and soulful beats that captures resilience and hope.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dear Black Son — This track stands out for its poignant message directed towards Black youth, blending personal narrative with broader societal themes of hope and struggle.
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Can't Take That Away — The song is a powerful anthem about self-empowerment and resilience, showcasing Brother Ali's lyrical prowess and ability to inspire listeners.
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All the Beauty in This Whole Life — As the title track, it encapsulates the album’s core themes of finding beauty amidst adversity, blending introspection with uplifting messages.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends introspective lyrics with soulful beats, showcasing strong craftsmanship and thematic cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of soulful samples and live instrumentation, creating a warm backdrop for the lyrics.
- Brother Ali employs varied vocal delivery styles, alternating between rapid-fire verses and slower, more contemplative passages.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, enhancing the narrative quality of the lyrics and deepening their emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady unfolding of personal narratives
- reflective moments for deep thought
- soulful beats with lyrical depth
- gradual development through each track
- thought-provoking themes for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of All the Beauty in This Whole Life, Brother Ali was already an established figure in alternative hip-hop, following his previous album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color (2012). This album marked a return for him after a five-year hiatus, during which he honed his craft and explored new themes of personal growth and social consciousness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Murs· Atmosphere· Talib Kweli
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pen to Paper 2:38
- 2 Own Light (What Hearts Are For) 4:09
- 3 Special Effects 4:51
- 4 Can't Take That Away 4:18
- 5 Dear Black Son 3:52
- 6 We Got This 3:01
- 7 Uncle Usi Taught Me 5:54
- 8 Pray for Me 3:43
- 9 It Ain't Easy 3:53
- 10 Never Learn 4:45
- 11 Tremble 3:09
- 12 Before They Called You White 3:36
- 13 The Bitten Apple 4:23
- 14 Out of Here 4:31
- 15 All the Beauty in This Whole Life 4:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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