With Nelly’s 8-million-plus sales and the St. Lunatics success, it’s prime time for the oldest Lunatic to deliver his solo set, Heavy Starch on April 30. Here, he reveals what it’s like being part of one hip-hop’s most successful crews.
“It’s my solo turn,” proclaims Ali, one-fifth of the St. Lunatics. “First ya’ll got familiar with Nelly, then the St. Lunatics. I’m going to introduce the world to another element of the St. Lunatics. Now you get to know me as an individual.” Unlike the group’s first album, “Free City,” this time it’s all on Ali. “It’s totally me and how I want to do it. I pick the beats and song topics. Then the group gets on the song with me and adapts to how I want it.”
At 26, Ali’s older than the other Lunatics: Nelly, Kyjuan, Murphy Lee and Slo Down. (City Spud, Nelly’s brother, is an absentee St. Lunatic. He’s in jail.) And so, according to him, he is the more serious member. He has always played the big brother role, giving advice for life and guidance for music. “When I’m trying to get my point across, I don’t care as much about my delivery. I want you to hear what I’m saying.” Along with party songs like “Wiggle Wiggle” and the first single “Boughetto“
