Ali

Ali is the name of at least two recording artists.

1) Ali (born Alistair Tennant in East London in 1973) s a British Soul/Neo-Soul/R&B singer. He is well-known as a songwriter and studio vocalist, having co-written and sung backing vocals on songs from the likes of U.K. reggae-pop star Maxi Priest, bubblegum divas All Saints (he wrote their hit "I Don't Wanna Be Alone"), boy band equivalent Westlife, and the Lou Pearlman project O-Town. Prior to his solo career, Ali was a member of Rhythm and Bass and one-half of the vocal team Aliway, which he formed with his writing and production partner Wayne Hector and which appeared on records by British teen groups Caught in the Act and 5ive.

Musically, was influenced by Philadelphia Soul of the 1970's. An Ali song like "Whatever You Want" could be a long-lost followup single to the Spinners' 1974 smash, "Mighty Love."

"I take a lot from that kind of Philly soul, the strings and the texture," Ali says. "I love the essence of that era."


2) Ali (born Ali Jones in 1972) is an American Hip-Hop artist. He is responsible for forming the St. Louis rap group known as the St. Lunatics, which also include Kyjuan, Murphy Lee, Nelly, and Nelly's incarcerated brother, City Spud.

Ali convinced Nelly, who is the most popular member of the group to go solo, and bring the group out. Since then Ali has made guest appearances on all of Nelly's albums except his 2004 album, Suit (album). He has also appeared on both of the St. Lunatics' albums, and released a solo-album, Heavy Starch in 2002.

Ali is also the president of Nelly's record label, Derrty Entertainment.

After collaborating with Big Gipp of the Dungeon Family's Goodie Mob, the two have combined forces and working on an album together. Ali & Gipp's album is called Kinfolk was supposed to be released on December 12, 2006, but has been pushed back indefinitely until late 2007.

On October 14, 2006 Ali was pulled over in Hazelwood, Missouri for driving with an expired license and tags. Ali was allegedly tasered with a 50,000 volt taser gun nearly 50 times. Ali also claimed that the arresting officer made racist remarks against him, and threatened to kill him. Ali was charged with resisting arrest, third degree assault on a police officer, and property damage to a police car. Ali also stated that he will file for a restraining order stemming from the police officer's alleged death threats.