The Truth Is Here
Brother Ali · 2009
34 min · 9 tracks · hip-hop
A reflective journey through personal struggles and social observations layered over soulful beats.
Top tracks — play these first
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Good Lord — This track encapsulates Brother Ali's ability to weave personal struggle with spiritual reflection, making it a centerpiece of the album's themes.
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Philistine David — Featuring powerful storytelling about resilience and confronting adversity, this track showcases Brother Ali's lyrical prowess and emotional depth.
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The Believers — With its uplifting message and rich production, this song exemplifies the album's blend of hope and reality, resonating strongly with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP features strong lyrical content and cohesive production, making it a solid entry in Brother Ali's discography.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo rhythm, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat tempo that contrasts with the preceding songs.
- Each track showcases Brother Ali's distinct vocal delivery, often layering his verses over rich, soulful samples that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, inviting listener engagement and creating a communal feel throughout the EP.
- 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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8/10
- 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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective themes with social insight
- engaging storytelling across tracks
- short bursts of lyrical depth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'The Truth Is Here' was released in 2009, Brother Ali had established himself as a significant voice in alternative hip-hop following his breakthrough album 'Underground Classics' in 2003. This record marked his first full-length release after signing with Rhymesayers Entertainment, showcasing a maturation in both lyrical depth and production quality.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Murs· Atmosphere· Talib Kweli
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Talkin' My Shit
In a pivotal verse, the narrative shifts from boastful confidence to vulnerable self-reflection.
This transition highlights the complexity of identity in hip-hop, moving beyond bravado to reveal deeper personal truths.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Real as Can Be 2:23
- 2 Philistine David 3:29
- 3 Little Rodney 4:27
- 4 Palm the Joker 2:33
- 5 Good Lord 4:11
- 6 Baby Don't Go 4:01
- 7 Talkin' My Shit 4:55
- 8 The Believers 4:47
- 9 Begin Here 3:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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