Brother Ali

Brother Ali, born Jason Newman on July 30, 1977, is an American rapper affiliated with the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Born with albinism, which also left him legally blind, he built his artistic identity around this visible difference, using it as a lens for songs about race, identity, and belonging in America rather than something to hide.

His work sits within the underground and conscious hip hop tradition, marked by dense, socially engaged lyrics and a warm, soulful delivery over often understated, sample-based production. He gained wider attention with tracks like «Uncle Sam Goddamn» and «Forest Whitiker», which combined pointed political critique with unflinching personal honesty, a combination that became his signature.

Albums such as "Shadows on the Sun", "The Undisputed Truth", and "Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color" (which includes the title track «Mourning in America») cemented his reputation as one of Rhymesayers' most distinctive voices, alongside labelmates like Atmosphere. His songs «Own Light (What Hearts Are For)», «Babygirl», and «Work Everyday» reflect the confessional, family-centered themes that run through much of his catalog, balancing struggle with hope.