Abdu Ali: Proving Black Artists Can Do It All and Sharing the Importance of Investing in Black Youth
Written By
London Allen
July 3, 2024
Ali attended Booker T. Washington Middle School before attending Baltimore City College High School and eventually the University of Baltimore, consequently experiencing the rich culture Baltimore has to offer. They found their artistry in the city’s subcultures, which radiates through their work. They often grapple with themes of identity—including race, sexuality, and gender—to encourage progressive mindsets. In his debut Mixtape, Invictos, released in 2012, Ali’s music immediately reflected the subcultures and mix of communities they inhabited with a sound that memorably merges ballroom, rap, and Baltimore club music. This innovative sound, inspired by both their Baltimore roots and musical legends such as Sun-Ra, Erykah Badu, and Missy Elliot, is part of a global shift in Black alternative music. Ali is an artist reimagining Black-led genres into an inspirationally creative hybrid genre and bringing attention to the artistic talents prevalent in Baltimore that are different from what is commonly represented in mainstream or popular media.
Despite any childhood hardships, Abdu Ali admits that they “had a special sense of self that, unfortunately, a lot of Black kids don’t have.” This sense of self allowed the artist to pursue their passion and make a mark on the underground Baltimore music scene. Inspired by artists before them, Ali’s individuality still shines not only through their music but also through their multidisciplinary endeavors. As a Baltimore-based musician, writer, and cultural worker in sound, video, and performance, Ali represents a frequently forgotten but affluent community of artists.
“ The young demographic, specifically people 18-24, are often left out of conversations concerning youth engagement in the arts.”
Ali began experimenting with new mediums by reaching global audiences as a musician and building new relationships with international communities as they released more mixtapes and performed in various spaces. They dove into podcasting with “DrumBooty,” a Baltimore-based production providing the conversations that many Black queer artists find missing in a lot of media. The show brought on artists of various identities to share their intimate stories and highlight their excellence, creating a space for Black artists to discuss the overlooked aspects of the Black experience. Once again, Ali, even beyond their music, elucidated that Black artists’ voices are important to listen to. Furthermore, Ali’s project, “As They Lay” continued to imagine a hopeful future for Black creatives. “As They Lay” was a curatorial platform during the pandemic that created space for collaboration and critical dialogue for Black artists. It encouraged radical envisioning of the possibilities of Black creatives. In particular, this project highlighted a key aspect of Ali’s target audience: young Black artists. Ali discusses that the young demographic, specifically people 18-24, are often left out of conversations concerning youth engagement in the arts, and they feel that they do not have many people advocating for them as young creatives. “As They Lay” centered art as tenderness and relationships, and one of those key relationships missing for many young Black artists is mentorship, something Ali feels deeply about. The project admirably aimed to nurture these young artists and build community.
Ali is a Black queer artist in identity and advocacy, working to educate and empower people. Ali desires to create a legacy of fostering a sense of self-worth in young Black artists, something they feel is absent in many spaces. In early 2023, Ali’s vision was further supported as they were honored with a 50,000 national arts grant; they were only one of two Baltimore artists selected. Ali is a 2023 United States fellow, an achievement well-earned. Receiving this award also allowed them to shed light on another issue with being a Black artist in Baltimore: the lack of funding. Ali shares that it is difficult to make a living as an artist in Baltimore, a very real sentiment, and many Baltimore artists must expand beyond the city to earn income. They denounce the city’s lack of support for their artists and believe that the narrative about Baltimore must shift. Baltimore is an artistic city, which is a draw for the many people who relocate to Baltimore, and the city should acknowledge this. Ali is only one of many successful Baltimore artists, but like many others, is not acknowledged nearly enough for their work.
Ultimately, Ali is a Baltimore artist combining unique talents with activism. They are not only from Baltimore but also work to build the community and represent an aspect many people miss when discussing the city. Not just its arts scene, but also the intersectionality that comes with holding particular identities and the importance of speaking about experiences and Baltimore beyond what people stereotypically perceive. Ali truly is an inspiring artist who demonstrates that Baltimore artists are successful and can have it all.
Investing in the youth of Baltimore, particularly young Black artists, is crucial due to the historical and systemic disadvantages they face. Redlining and other discriminatory practices have long deprived predominantly Black neighborhoods of essential resources, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting access to quality education, healthcare, and community programs. These practices have directed the tax revenues from wealthier, often predominantly white, neighborhoods back into those communities, further widening the gap in opportunities and resources. By prioritizing investment in the youth, we can begin to dismantle these systemic barriers and foster a more equitable future.
In Baltimore, a city with a rich cultural history and a significant Black population, supporting young Black artists is a matter of equity and a powerful tool for community development and crime prevention. Engagement in the arts provides a constructive outlet for self-expression and personal growth. When youth have access to arts programs and spaces to create, they are less likely to become involved in illegal activities, as they can channel their energy and creativity into positive endeavors. Artistic engagement helps build a sense of self-worth and community, which are essential in historically marginalized areas.
Written by: London Allen
About the Author:
Baltimore-based writer advocating for marginalized communities.
Black Artists Spotlight, Community Advocacy
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Sources
https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/artsentertainment/allow-abdu-ali-to-reintroduce-themself/
https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/abdu-ali
https://bakerartist.org/portfolios/abdu-ali
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