Alexander Kollman (better known by his stage name “Safari Al”) is far from your typical
hip-hop artist. His 2012 Highlands EP is a lush and atmospheric
escape to Guatemala – where Al’s two-week experience in Engineers Without
Borders inspired the six-song release. His beats are predominately subdued and
naturalistically tinged. His style is clean and intellectual. He, along with
Milo, is ushering an encouraging and altogether exciting epoch of Milwaukee
hip-hop – a genre that’s long struggled for local footing.
When
Music Notes asked Safari Al to
document his recent 20-state (and a district), 25-show, month-long Geordi La
Forgery Tour in support of Milo, we also learned the budding area emcee is
delightfully strange. Through a series of typewritten descriptions, crude illustrations and photographs from the road, Al granted us visibility
into candid moments on the road and into the odd mind of one of Milwaukee’s
best and brightest rappers.
Catch Safari Al locally at Stonefly Brewery on Tuesday, opening for the Milwaukee stop of the Off The Meds Tour. The show begins at 10 p.m. and costs $5.
