Today in Hip Hop History: Chi Ali’s Debut Album ‘The Fabulous Chi-ali’ Turns 30 Years Old!

Three decades ago today, Chi Ali released his first and only album, The Fabulous Chi-Ali. Chi-Ali first appeared on De La Soul’s single “Say No Go,” and Black Sheep’s debut album, A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing, featured on “Pass the 40”. Chi Ali, at the time, was a core member of Native Tongues, a New York City-based hip-hop collective, and also had connections with the Legion family, along with Showbiz and A.G.

In 1992, Chi-Ali released his first solo single, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a #,” which was a moderate hit and reached #6 in the U.S. Hot Rap Singles chart. The song was popular on urban radio stations, and the music video received good rotation on Yo! MTV Raps and Rap City. The album in which the song was featured was released shortly after that, which yielded two other singles; “Roadrunner” and “Funky Lemonade,” which were both remixed and re-recorded.

In the late 1990s, Chi-Ali appeared on Dres’s solo album, Sure Shot Redemption, and began featuring with other artists. His most recent collabo was with Jadakiss on a song entitled “G-Check.”

On January 14, 2000, Chi-Ali shot and killed a man during an argument in The Bronx. He was later arrested in 2001 for the death of his girlfriend’s brother, Sean Raymond, after spending a year evading police and even appeared on an episode of America’s Most Wanted. Chi-Ali hid in numerous East Coast cities until he was apprehended on March 5, 2001, in New York City and was subsequently convicted of the killing and served a 12-year bid at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.