Abdu Ali
American musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abdu Ali is an American multidisciplinary musician, community activist, poet and artist based in Baltimore.[1][2] In 2019, Baltimore City Major Jack Young's Office and the LGBTQ Commission honored Ali with the Artist of the Year Award.[3] They released their first album, FIYAH!!, in 2019.[4][5]
Musical style
Their musical style has been described as fervent jazz with a futuristic punk rap poetry while also weaving noise punk to avant-garde rap.[6][7] Their work is inspired by Baltimore Club legend and black queer icon Miss Tony.[7] Ali's lyrics and poetry are influenced by Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurmon, and Richard Nugent.[8] The FADER described their single "Chastity" as "an unconventional, and daring call for self-love and acceptance".[9]
Projects
Ali has been involved in various projects including Kahlon,[10][5] an experimental music and art event in Baltimore that hosted notable acts including Juliana Huxtable, Princess Nokia and others that lasted from 2014 to 2017.[1] In 2017 they created drumBOOTY, a podcast for black creativity and social dialogue.[7] They are also the founder of As They Lay, which Ali states as a "creative protect-based organism" that brings black artists together for events, programs and dialogues.[1]
Personal life
Discography
Studio albums
- FIYAH!! (2019)[4]
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sour Patch Kids" | 2015 | Simo Soo | - |
| "DOTS Freestyle Remix" | 2019 | JPEGMafia, Buzzy Lee | All My Heroes Are Cornballs |
