Ali The Great is a writer, performer and producer currently residing in Brisbane, who is also one of the lead emcees of The Astro Travellers.
With an upcoming support of US rapper Oddisee, Ali has also unveiled his latest video clip.
You are supporting Oddisee at his Brisbane show. Are you looking forward to the show?
Oddisee is an incredible MC and producer and what I write about him can not do him justice. I will say that his output is prolific; this is evidenced by how he is embraced by the people.
You recently released the video for the single 'Trophy' from your project 'Earth'; what vibe did you want to create with the shoot?
We wanted the video to show diverse groups with varying circumstances learning through the activities they engage in while living their life. The video aims to reflect how simple aspects of life become learning experiences.
You are signed to Brisbane indie label Green Chimney Records. Tell us a bit about them and the direction in which they are taking you.
GCR has a passion to share my music. They heard that I created a project titled 'Earth' and offered to put it out. It probably would not have left a close set of friends and family had GCR not offered to put out the project. In that way you can say they have taken my album 'Earth' to the people.
What sort of impact do you want to have when people hear your music?
I make music without hypothesising how others might take it, but I do hope it inspires people to do well and achieve what they want in life.
A live show by Ali The Great... what type of atmosphere do you like to build?
I am a content-driven person and aim to provide a space where individuals can engage with thought provoking topics. I think that I create an atmosphere where people become inspired and driven to learn and recognise their agency.
What is it about your live show that gets the biggest response from the crowd?
After every performance, an audience member or multiple audience members tell me that they appreciate the music that I make and that I have a good performance and delivery. I think the fact that I focus on delivering content without trying to sensationalise anything helps to get a positive response from the crowd.
You arrived in Brisbane in 2012; how does the local music scene compare to your hometown, Toronto?
It's very difficult to answer this question. Come by the show and ask me, we can discuss this in depth.
As well as your solo work you are a member of The Astro Travellers; anything to report from that camp?
We are working on a follow up to our recently released project Seven Metaphors. Da Cruz and I recently dropped on a track titled 'Expand' and I am confident that it will be very well received.
Do you approach the two creative outlets any differently?
I treat both outlets as ones without creative boundaries however I do approach them very differently. With Astro, I attempt to contribute so that it complements an overall sound, whereas with the music I make as a solo artist, I create in a way which is entirely my own opinion and influenced entirely by my own life experiences.
If you were to let your imagination run wild for a minute, where do you see yourself in two years time?
Once again, this is very difficult to answer. Wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I hope to be happy and healthy with my family.
To date, what would you say has been the biggest milestone of your career?
Being able to develop my competencies so that I can express myself independently. The expressive capacity gained through being able to make music on my own has definitely been my biggest musical milestone to date.
What do you see as the most important cog to being a successful artist?
My current definition of success is being able to speak freely through music. In this sense, continuing to advocate for our freedom of speech and for hip hop and hip hop influenced music to be legitimised on a political level is the most important cog to being a successful artist.
As well as working on your solo project and with your band, is there anything else that occupies your time musically or otherwise?
I enjoy cooking food and eating and sharing what I have cooked. One thing I love to make is mango or ginger pickle, as they last a long time.
Ali The Great supports Oddisee at Woolly Mammoth 26 November.
