The vibrant, joyful and easygoing song both reflects Ali’s Afrobeat influences and showcases her singing. As ambitious as she is (she counts Kanye West, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar as her biggest influences, for both their musicianship and business acumen), “Life” is a call to live in the moment and remember your blessings.

Shot by Senegalese director Chérif Tall in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, the clip finds Ali returning to her ancestral home. There, she revels with family over food and drinks. She hits the busy streets alongside shopkeepers and skateboarding kids. Everyday life in Addis Ababa is on full display, and it’s abuzz.

RANGE caught up with Ali to learn more about her time in Addis Ababa, her Afrobeat influences, and more.

Every town, city, village, and even neighbourhood has its own rhythm. Did you feel that in Addis Ababa? How would you describe that city’s rhythm? 

NA: Absolutely! Well, it was such a particular experience this time around, as the last time I was there, I was much younger, and I hadn’t come into my artistry yet. So this time around, returning as an adult and more particularly an artist, I was in tune with a lot more things – for example, the beauty of the morning prayers at 5 a.m. layered with the sounds of nature and the city’s gradual awakening into its morning routines. The non-stop hustle and bustle – everyone is on their grind, and you can feel the work ethic.

How did you link up with Chérif Tall? How important was it for you to work with a director who also had African roots on this video? 

NA: We linked via Instagram kinda randomly. He liked one of my posts, and when I checked his profile, his work really aligned visually with what I had in mind for “Life.” I always made it a point in my work to have representation for people of colour, to showcase the intricacies of different shades, hair textures, etc. However, it was important to continue to do so for this video, but to work with a director that understands or can draw parallels with African culture.

Photo: Cherif Tall

Were there any other exciting collaborations on the video for “Life,” or the song in general, you’d like to tell us about? 

NA: Well, one of things that excites me and that I draw pride from for “Life” is that fact that I accomplished something on my wishlist as an artist: to work with a live choir. It gave me the opportunity to lead the choir and be super implicated in the vocal production of the record.

Afrobeat forms the backbone of “Life.” Are there any Afrobeat artists who’ve influenced you in general or this song specifically? 

NA: Absolutely. I think it’s one of the genres I listen to the most. I feel like it kinda cleanses my auditive pallet, especially as a rap artist. I’m all about Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Rema, and Asake, just to name a few.

Your music is very much about lifting others up, giving flowers to those who came before you, and sharing and celebrating each other’s successes. Did you feel like you didn’t have that kind of support on your way up? Is that why it’s so important to show up for others in those ways?

NA: Spot on. I think as artists, we make music for ourselves first and foremost and hope that it can resonate with others. As much as I am uplifting others and showing love with my music, I am speaking to myself as a reminder and a healing for my inner child.