"The Undisputed Truth," which dropped last April, is Brother Ali's second full-length album for Rhymesayers Entertainment, and follows his 2003 debut, "Shadow on the Sun." The latest set was recorded after a rough patch in Ali's life, during which he separated from his wife, became homeless and fought for custody of his young son. His struggles laid the foundation for the record.

"I wanted to make an album that gives you no choice but to feel what I'm feeling at the time," Ali explained in a statement. "I made choices that sent me through a lot of struggle in the past few years and (producer) ANT and I have made music that really communicates the exact feeling of those situations."

Brother Ali is no stranger to struggle. The practicing Muslim is an albino who, as a child, was treated cruelly and turned to music as a way of earning respect.

During his career, the rapper has shared the stage with the likes of Atmosphere, Brand Nubian, Rakim, MF Doom and Murs in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, according to his bio. He's also played in front of large audiences at music festivals including Coachella, Sweden's Hultsfred and France's Eurokeenes Festival.