Chi-Ali - "The Fabulous Chi-Ali"

“The Fabulous Chi-Ali,” the only studio release by teenage (15 years old at the time of the release) rapper Chi-Ali. Hailing from the Bronx, Chi-Ali was “discovered” by music executive Chris Lighty. Chi-Ali was actually the first artist signed to Lighty’s record label Violator. Lighty was also facilitated Chi-Ali becoming an affiliate of the Native Tongues. The album was released in March of 1992 on Violator/Relativity Records. The bulk of the production on the album was done by The Beatnuts (also a Native Tongue affiliate) with some help from Lighty and Mr. Lawnge from Black Sheep. Chi-Ali youthful voice is in direct opposition to the “grown up” subject matter of his lyrics, but combined with the solid production from the Beatnuts, “The Fabulous Chi-Ali” is a good listen.

Chi Ali – Yo MTV Raps Promo

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Chris: Mike, do you remember the first time you heard the name Chi Ali and why did you want to revisit “The Fabulous Chi-Ali’?

Mike: I first listened to “The Fabulous Chi-Ali” about 10 years after its 1992 release. As I was getting more divulged into Golden Age Hip Hop, the more Chi-Ali’s name popped up. Be it on Black Sheep’s album, other rappers utilizing his name in their rhymes, or even subtle shout outs in the liner notes, I knew it was an album I wanted to hear.

My wanting to review this album stems from its unique point of view that wouldn’t even be considered commercially viable this day in age. A barely teenage rapper speaking on street dynamics, weed and women, in a very straightforward format.

Chris:  The first time I heard this album was when our friend Justin bought it from the Tower Records in Tempe. I knew the name but hadn’t heard anything from Chi-Ali outside of “Ain’t Nuthin But a #” and “Pass the 40”.

It seems to me though that the early 90s was kind of the beginning of the teenage rapper and that trend still continues today. Who are some of your other favorite teenage or younger rappers? The first ones that come to mind for me are Shyheim and DaYoungstas.

Mike: I’m gonna go with the obvious choice, Shyheim. He had the knack for penning a song as opposed to just lyrics, which is Chi-Ali’s downfall at points during “The Fabulous...”. The Wu’s tutelage of Shyheim shows through his more poetic, abstract lyrics, whereas Chi-Ali’s face value approach doesn’t necessarily reflect his Native Tongues affiliation.

Chris: So let’s expand a little more on Chi-Ali’s lyrical content and his delivery. You said you didn’t think it would be commercially viable nowadays, why is that? Looking back, Jermaine Dupri wrote the handbook on creating the commercially viable youngster rapper, first with Kris Kross and then later on with Bow Wow.

I feel like Chi-Ali is a product of the era of Hip Hop he grew up listening to, the braggadocios era of the late 80s, we just weren’t used to hearing some 13-14 year old say those things. I had also read that The Beatnuts and members from A Tribe Called Quest helped him craft his style.

Mike: Well Kris Kross and Bow Wow were tailor made to appeal to certain demographic, not just with their music but their clothes as well. Chi-Ali’s presence seemed to be pretty much himself, for better or for worse. While certain aspects of this approach led to unfiltered, raw, no holds barred content, others felt sonically it was held back due to a lack of maturity. Personally, I think the niche Chi Ali attempted to carve no longer exists.

Chris: Did it seem to you like Chi-Ali’s voice was kind of tired on some of the songs? Could just been the recording technology of the time but it felt like his voice wasn’t strong enough. He sounds much better on some of the remixes that came out a year or two after the release of the album.

Mike: You couldn’t have phrased it any better, regarding Chi-Ali’s voice and the Beatnuts monotony on the boards. Slip a few tracks from “The Fabulous…” into an upbeat playlist and they will stand out as funky and playful, bump it in its entirety and you’ll be yearning for musical dexterity that this album just doesn’t deliver.

Chris: As you know, the Native Tongues affiliate The Beatnuts handled the bulk of the beats on this album. Mr. Lawnge from Black Sheep did “Ain’t Nuthin but a #”. How did you feel about the production overall?

Mike: At times, I felt like I expected too much from this album. Being that I was brought up by the Native Tongues, DITC, Showbiz and AG. I think it has the ingredients to be a classic, but it just wasn’t cooked right. The Beatnuts hadn’t yet developed into their sample heavy sound unto the soundscapes they laid down in the years after, but what they offered was nonetheless an undeniably fresh boom bap backdrop for Chi-Ali.

Chris: I REALLY enjoyed the production on this album. Like you alluded to, the Beatnuts were still perfecting their craft but I really enjoyed the grittiness of the album and the samples they used.

What was your favorite track?  Mine was “In My Room”. It all comes together on that track. It’s just really smooth and the Bar-Kays’ sample they use is really dope!

Chi-Ali – “In My Room”

Bar-Kays – “Fighting Fire with Fire”

Mike: “Funky Lemonade” to me has all the elements of an upbeat early 90s party track. Chi Ali bounces off the funky beat flawlessly. Add the Guru sample and you have a straight up, era specific hype jam!

Chi-Ali – “Funky Lemonade” (Original)

Chi-Ali – “Funky Lemonade" (Beatnuts Remix)

Chris: How do you feel about the album now? I honestly have a new appreciation for it, I am pretty nostalgic and I really enjoyed the rawness and the warmness of the album.

Mike: I like it more than ever. When viewed as the debut from a Native Tongues member, the expectation is unrealistically high. However, when listened to with an unexpecting ear, it deliverers a raw rap record with undeniable gems sprinkled throughout.

All in all, listen to “The Fabulous Chi-Ali”, you won’t regret it.