The Undisputed Truth | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 10, 2007 | |||
Recorded | 2006-2007 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 61:20 | |||
Label | Rhymesayers Entertainment/ Warner Music Group | |||
Producer | Ant | |||
Brother Ali chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Undisputed Truth | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
About | [1] |
Allmusic | [2] |
The A.V. Club | B+ [3] |
DJBooth | B+ [4] |
HipHopDX | [5] |
Pitchfork Media | (6.6/10) [6] |
PopMatters | (6/10) [7] |
Rapreviews | (9/10) [8] |
Stylus Magazine | B+ [9] |
The Undisputed Truth is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Brother Ali, his second major release. It was released on April 10, 2007 on Rhymesayers Entertainment. The album is produced entirely by Ant of Atmosphere. The first single, "Truth Is", was released on January 5, 2007. [10] The second single is "Uncle Sam Goddamn" which was released on May 4, 2007.
In the period of promotion before the release of the album, several videos were released of various hip hop icons talking about Brother Ali and this upcoming album. In one video, Slug from Atmosphere is shown getting a tattoo while praising Ali and the new album; at the end of the video, the camera reveals that he has just had the title of the album tattooed in large letters across the side of his neck. (the tattoo however was not real, since it does not appear on his neck in interviews or live performances following the release of that video)
The song "Whatcha Got" is featured in the EA Sports video game Madden 08. [11]
Before the preparation for touring for the album, Brother Ali was invited to a Verizon sponsored tour with Gym Class Heroes. [12] However, Brother Ali then released the music video for "Uncle Sam Goddamn". Due to the song's content, which included him being critical of the United States government, Verizon ultimately withdrew its sponsorship of Ali, causing him to truncate parts of his 2007 tour. [13] [14]
The album debuted at number 69 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 11,000 copies in its first week. [15]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Whatcha' Got" | 4:33 |
2. | "Lookin' at Me Sideways" | 4:05 |
3. | "Truth Is" | 4:20 |
4. | "The Puzzle" | 3:24 |
5. | "Pedigree" | 3:36 |
6. | "Daylight" | 4:01 |
7. | "Freedom Ain't Free" | 3:36 |
8. | "Letter from the Government" | 4:02 |
9. | "Here" | 4:00 |
10. | "Listen Up" (featuring Whipper Whip) | 5:03 |
11. | "Take Me Home" | 5:01 |
12. | "Uncle Sam Goddamn" | 4:57 |
13. | "Walking Away" | 3:58 |
14. | "Faheem" | 2:49 |
15. | "Ear to Ear" | 3:47 |
Atmosphere is an American hip-hop duo from Minneapolis, Minnesota, consisting of rapper Slug and DJ/producer Ant. Since its formation in 1996, the group has released twelve studio albums and ten extended plays.
God Loves Ugly is the second studio album by American hip hop group Atmosphere. It was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment on June 11, 2002.
Seven's Travels is the third studio album by the Minneapolis hip hop group Atmosphere, their first and only for Epitaph. It was released on September 23, 2003. "Trying to Find a Balance" and "National Disgrace" were released as singles and music videos were made for both.
Ali Douglas Newman, better known by his stage name Brother Ali, is an American rapper, community activist, and member of the Rhymesayers Entertainment hip hop collective. He has released seven albums, four EPs, and a number of singles and collaborations.
Gregory Joseph Keltgen, better known by his stage name DJ Abilities, is an American underground hip hop producer and DJ signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment who is based in Minneapolis. He is a founding member of Eyedea & Abilities alongside Eyedea, and Semi.Official alongside I Self Devine. DJ Abilities is a member of 1200 Hobos and was also a member of Atmosphere at one point. He has won two regional DJ championships for the Midwest region.
You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Atmosphere. It was released through Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2005.
Shadows on the Sun is the second studio album by American rapper Brother Ali. It was released on May 27, 2003 on Rhymesayers Entertainment. It was produced entirely by Ant of Atmosphere. The album received almost unanimous critical acclaim.
Champion EP is the first EP by Brother Ali. The 9-song EP was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment on May 11, 2004 and is produced by Ant of Atmosphere.
Anthony Davis, better known by his stage name Ant, is an American hip hop producer. He is best known as being one half of the hip hop group Atmosphere, but has worked with many other artists and projects, mostly with Rhymesayers Entertainment, such as Brother Ali, I Self Devine, Felt and The Dynospectrum. He has also released two solo albums, Melodies and Memories, and Melodies and Memories 85–89.
"Uncle Sam Goddamn" is the second single from Brother Ali's second full-length album The Undisputed Truth. The single was released on May 4, 2007 as a 12" vinyl. There are three different editions of the single; a red version, a white version and a blue version each containing a different B-side. The song features a blues-influenced beat produced by Ant to assist its "bitingly critical" lyrics. Its lyrics harshly condemn the United States government for its past involvement in slavery and the crack cocaine trade, and its failure to provide for the poor. Its music video contains controversial images of cross burning, lynching and police brutality alongside images of American landmarks like the White House and Capitol building.
When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is the fifth studio album by the Minneapolis hip hop group Atmosphere. It was released on Atmosphere's own Rhymesayers Entertainment label on April 22, 2008. It was praised for Ant's synthesizer-based production and Slug's storytelling rap. The album features a cameo performance by singer-songwriter Tom Waits, who performs guitar and beatboxing on the song "The Waitress".
Us is the fourth studio album by American rapper Brother Ali. It was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment on September 22, 2009. The album is entirely produced by Ant.
The Truth Is Here is the second EP by Brother Ali. It was released on March 9, 2009, by Rhymesayers Entertainment. The EP contains nine songs which were previously unreleased. The song "Good Lord" had a promotional video. The CD was also sold with a DVD filled with interviews, music videos, and a full-length live performance from his The Undisputed Truth tour.
Lord Steppington is the debut studio album by California-based hip hop duo Step Brothers. The album was released on January 21, 2014 by Rhymesayers Entertainment. The record was produced entirely by Alchemist with one track produced by Evidence, and includes guest appearances from Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, Blu, Fashawn, Rakaa, Oh No, Styles P, Domo Genesis and The Whooliganz – Alchemist's old group which included actor Scott Caan.
Musab Saad, better known by his stage name Sab the Artist, Musab, or Beyond, is an American recording artist, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and music executive from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Benjamin Howard Laub, better known by his stage name Grieves, is an American hip hop artist based in Seattle, Washington. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he has lived in Colorado, San Diego, and New York City. He is signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color is the fifth studio album by American rapper Brother Ali. It was released via Rhymesayers Entertainment on September 18, 2012. Entirely produced by Jake One, it includes a guest appearance from Dr. Cornel West. It reached number 44 on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold 10,000 copies in its first week of release.
Southsiders is the seventh studio album by American hip hop duo Atmosphere. The album was released via Rhymesayers Entertainment on May 6, 2014. The title Southsiders refers to the south side of Minneapolis.
Joshua Ryan Turner, better known by his stage name Dem Atlas, is an American rapper from Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was formally a member of the group Sifu Hotman alongside rapper Guante and producer Rube. He was formerly signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Assata Perkins, known professionally as Sa-Roc, is an American rapper. In 2016, she became the second female rapper to sign with the Rhymesayers label.