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Big bad Brother Ali just dropped a mixtape style ep yesterday (Left in the Deck). You can cop proper MP3s (and a badass tshirt) from the Fifth Element website. Honestly, this is Ali's best effort since The Undisputed Truth. A real legend. Dig.

I give very little love to the new school. Can't stand most of these kids - mostly because they don't meet my three-tier requirements to be considered quality goods. A) have a nice voice  (Nas, Jay, Doom, Redman) B) have a nice flow (Rugged Man, Pharaohe Monch, Aesop Rock) and C) have something to say (Brother Ali, Mos Def) or at least be so cool that I don't care (Missy). 

Although his flow is all Ghostface, Action Bronson is one of the only new schoolers to get a pass from me. He not only meets all three aforementioned requirements but also tends to ride over the dopest sample-heavy beats. Dig this video for "Steve Wynn". Way gone.

I stumbled upon Classified about 3 years ago.  Candian rappers tend to stay under the radar but here we find him teaming up with Brother Ali for a feel good track called, "Maybe It's Just Me".  Dig it.

Maybe it's just me/I keep movin this pen like it'll set me free
Best believe I'ma flow on endlessly
Let it be/Feel the love every breath I breathe
Yes indeed 

For 10 years BK One travelled with Brother Ali as his DJ.  I saw them together many times in Champaign-Urbana and up in Minnesota.  In 2007 when the I-35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis, BK's wife was on it.  She suffered some major injuries but bounced right back.  Since then, BK has chosen to spend his time at home with the family rather than out on the road.  He continues to be in incredible DJ and producer.  In 2009 he released the Brazillian flavored Radio Do Canibal (featuring heavy hitters like Raekwon and Black Thought as well as Rhymesayers staples Slug, P.O.S. and Brother Ali).  Here's the Radio Do Canibal Megamix to get your weekend started.  

Tema Do Canibal Mega-Mix by BK-One

It's interesting to me that when you play higher-profile shows, the anticipation, the myths, and the legends rarely match up with the realities. But sharing a bill with a true hero is a special kind of glorious. I recently played a set with my man S.words opening for Brother Ali. Ali easily holds a spot in my top 10 favorite MCs of all time, but that night, he delivered quite possibly the best live set I've ever seen. Boombaye.