Rapsody is a top 3 MC in Hip-Hop right now and that’s fucking it. No other rapper this year has created such a beautiful/powerful album like she did with the wordplay she did. Not only did she do that in 2019 she has done that constantly throughout her career. If you’re starting to think of other rappers such as Kendrick, Cole, and J.I.D, then that’s the point. She has been rapping at such a high caliber for so long it’s insane she’s not mentioned with the greats of this generation too. Multiple times on Twitter people credit a couple of female MC’s for “Not showing/using their bodies to sell records”, but they constantly leave Rapsody out. Not only should they mind their business on what female rappers are doing and judge them on their bars, but they are also leaving out a vital part of Hip-Hop. A Grammy-nominated artist, who can go toe-to-toe with the best, has substance, flows like no other, should be heavily praised. For those who don’t want to put her in that space, I’m here to say fuck y’all and fuck y’all favorite rappers from the bottom of my heart and I mean that with a passion.
Rapsody will be one of the few artists that I will write about multiple times. She is currently the only one I am writing about for the second time because she deserves it. I was not here to write about her previous album when it came out so I am not going to pass up on this one. 2 years later after her Laila’s Wisdom album, she continues to elevate her abilities and her sound which seems impossible from a rapper like that, but she did. The crazy thing is that Rapsody is continuing her style of rap but making it sound completely different. That’s what I mean by elevation, it is not a complete overhaul but rather a tuning of the current method that she has added to her repertoire. Rapsody is an anomaly, she is an incredible rapper and songwriter which are not the same. Her artistry ranges past lyricism. That’s what his album is to me. It’s a medley of amazing music, substance, & lyrics. With an amazing team and group of people around her, she is authentically herself.
ALBUM REVIEW
The whole album is centered on women empowerment particularly black women. They are strong, vulnerable, beautiful, loving, caring and the most powerful. They are our wives, mothers, sisters, aunts’ cousins, nieces, and deserve to be protected. Black Women are our QUEENS, and the Black Woman is GOD. Perfect in their imperfections, they give life and omit an aura that cannot be matched or duplicated if tried. They are the backbone of blackness, civilization, and all life on earth. No species has had the fortitude to confine them to anything less than they are or deserve. That is why this album is so important Rapsody embodies that in herself and this beautiful project. Everyone should listen to this album not only because they love rap but because they come from the Black Woman but because they should praise the Black Woman. Black women have been there through thick and thin, the good, the bad, and the vicious. In front of every strong black man is a stronger black woman.
Who better to start off an album, emulating than the one and only Nina Simone. A prolific musician and artist that was polarizing in her time on earth. Nina’s legacy has lived on and her music carries weight throughout decades as it is timeless. It is hard to start delving into an album with this much content that Rapsody gives, rappers that give an influx of material to us to sit on for months deserve better. On Track 1 the MC makes plenty of references to black greatness throughout history, whether it is the Pharaohs in Egypt, to Nina Simone, to Pac we have been here in every facet of time and space thriving in ways others couldn’t. All the gruesome acts that have been done to us has not brought us down, instead, it has made us resilient. Emit Till, and so many others were subjugated to ruthless and horrendous crimes and were never given justice either. It is imperative that we see this and stop the cycle before it continues, and nothing is done to stop it. We must come together to fight oppression done to any black person anywhere. “Stand for something or fall for anything” is a mantra all should know and live by. At the end of the track, a poem spoken so beautifully was spoken by Reyna Biddy who did an immaculate job reciting it. One of the lines that caught my attention was “I’m extraterrestrial, I was created different”. The Black Woman is out of this world and is a being that we can’t comprehend, and we must cherish.
Track 2 starts right after and the drums hit different than other tracks on any album already. Sampling Phil Collins was a dope idea and the way it was done is so smooth it is one of the ore perfect samples that I’ve heard in a minute. Instead of simply redoing the song, they added a twist and made it Hip Hop. Rapsody details her way into the industry and how people thought she wouldn’t make it. Doubters who thought she dressed too much like a guy and wasn’t feminine enough to pull it off in an era where that was highly regarded as the standard for women. People on her label critiqued her and made her feel inadequate but she proved them wrong. Remember that Grammy nomination I mentioned earlier? Success is the best revenge, in the face of evil, good-will always thrives and overcome. The industry is a place where one can lose their sanity as we have heard from musicians time and time again. This is why Rapsody listens to a select group of people who have stuck by her side such as, 9th and Jay-Z. We are not represented in offices that make money off of us, it is an adage that has stood the test of time and continues to affect black artists. Rapsody has learned so much about herself throughout her time in the spotlight, she went her own way and made it possible for those who can rap at a high level to do so as well.
Aaliyah is a musician who in her short time on earth has influenced so much and so many people. To this day with three albums she has made an impact that so many would love to have in a longer span of time. Hip Hop & R&B’s princess and is still remembered to this day and has not been forgotten in any way. Referencing the last track when Rapsody stated that it wasn’t cool to be a tomboy, Aaliyah did. Her fashion and way of dressing made it okay for a generation of women to dress a certain way and be themselves, expression is power. Track 3 is questioning people’s character, in a play-off of Aaliyah’s “Are you that somebody”? She is proving that she is a real one not only as an amazing lyricist, but a songwriter, and overall dope person as well. This record also has my favorite line “Skeezers gon be skeezers, I’ just dope”. The way Rapsody accentuates and elongates those letters is a testament to the work she’s put in.
Oprah is up next and what better record to talk about money than a song titled “Oprah”. The bass follows a groove and rhythm that is interesting but has a bounce to it that sounds a little bit more southern than the previous tracks. The first feature on this album, Leikeli47 is a beast and her voice is soft yet makes sure all words are annunciated well. Both her and Rapsody flow so well on this song and although I wish they went back and forth a little, the track is still great the way it is. Reyna is back again at the end and gives us another poem, this one centered on cash and how far we’ve come. When black people were first brought here slavery was prominent so it was highly unlikely that success in that form could be achieved. However, since then we have come out of that period of turmoil. Although there is so much more to do, progress is being made.
Track 5 is even bouncier than the previous one off rip. They gonna make Rapsody go crazy if you try her. This song is all about the attitude that can be summoned if you don’t come correct or acct accordingly. A lot of time black women have the reputation of having more of an attitude than other women, including women of color. “The Angry Black Woman” narrative has been spread everywhere and has taken a life of its own to the point where we have seen this character countless times in movies, tv shows and everywhere online. So many are negative and their attempt at being funny mostly falls short. Throughout history, black women have been mistreated the most. They have had it worse than anyone for not only are they a woman they are black as well. In both senses, they have been dealt a terrible hand with no one to care for them as they should. Being black in America is hard as it is and we’ve had so many civil rights leaders fight for freedom of all black people. Not only that but in life women have been humiliated beyond measures comprehendible to any sensible person.
Speaking of strong black women, “Serena” has been targeted multiple times by white people around the world. Whether it is a magazine depicting her like a monkey, interviewers asking ridiculous questions that they would never ask anyone else, being judged unfairly, or her features being mocked by other players, Serena has seen so much. She is the greatest tennis player of all time and one of the greatest athletes to ever exist, for her to then go through all of that in her peak is disgusting. Again, black women deserve better. Track 6 is a powerful song even at the start, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” that quote is something we should all listen to. Serena’s path has never been easy, from growing up to Compton to now being an all-time great, she has sailed rough seas to make it to the other side and she has become the best version of herself.
Track 7 is titled “Tyra”, one of the most influential models of all time is Miss Tyra Banks. She is a staple in the industry and has done so much for modeling not only for black women in particular but for women of all races and from all around the world. This song is Rapsody celebrating black beauty and how fine black women are. No matter the skin tone, shape, size, or background, black women of all shapes and sizes are gorgeous, whether they are models are not.
Track 8 features the second feature on this album on the hook. This one is titled Maya, the amazing and transformative author. This song brings hope, it seems like a reflection on life, black people and her trajectory as well. Rapsody is bringing many elements into this song. She states that she is not boxed in but some days she does need saving. Navigating through life is hard and one does not want to be caged. She makes references to Maya’s most famous book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.
“Ibtihaj” is the first single from the album. I was there with Niko and Chris for the screening of her video in the middle of Times Square. This is a monumental moment and one that I was proud to share. Track 9 is one of the more lyrical tracks not only because Rapsody can spit but because GZA can too. That is who is featured on this record, along with D’Angelo, the trio created a powerful song to go along with dope visuals, again all done by Misa Hylton. From the aesthetic of the video itself to the clothes Rapsody is wearing, it was all thought of and brought to life perfectly.
Throughout the entire civil rights era and even now, many black women lost their partners and husbands. This one is no different. Medgar Evers was killed in 1963, and Mrs. Evers who was an activist as well did not stop fighting for justice. Black women as I stated before are always there for their partners and are at the forefront of civil rights. They will always be there and always make things better at every turn. Track 10 details all the other men and women who gave their lives as well. The hook stating “Don’t take my love away” is a sad reality for so many black people in white America.
Track 11 lets Reyna fully express herself once more as she has her own interlude. Reyna speaks on everything this album stands for. Black bodies are so precious yet discarded. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century, there something new plaguing black people in this country. She wants a world where we can be safe and unafraid to live life to the fullest with her significant other. Worrying whether or not he will come home is not an ideal world to live in. Black women are a threat to mankind because they are so strong, they heal us, make us laugh, and make us see ourselves when they speak to us. Black women constantly defy the odds and make the best of what they are dealt with. The Black Woman is Nurture and Nature in one.
One of the greatest achievements in history took place in January of 2009, this was the year that Barack Obama was sworn in as president of The United States. No matter what side on the political spectrum you fall on, this is an incredible feat that will only happen once, you will only have one first time ever. Right next to him is the lovely Michelle Obama glowing more than he is at that moment. Michelle Obama has become a role model for so many girls and women across the world, not only in America. She is the First Lady but she is a Queen in so many regards, she defines elegance and is the modern-day version of Queens of days past. Strength, wisdom, and power are what she embodies and how she carries herself. Track 12 features the wonderful Elle Varner who was at the top of R&B in 2012 in her own respect. On a track that will get you grooving it is a perfect tune for Michelle who we’ve seen dance on multiple occasions. The two should collaborate more often.
Black is beautiful and this is seen in “Iman”, (no not Shumpert), but the Somalian model who has graced the cover of multiple magazines. This song is all about beauty and Africa and the features that make us us. We need to love ourselves and each other realizing how amazing we truly are. For so long the notion that black is ugly was the case and even today we still believe that and deal with hatred from the world. The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice; The blacker the berry the ore brutes that appear to tear us down. Track 13 is all about self/group empowerment. JID, one of the nicest rappers out has been on a tear with features and this is no different. He is very witty and funny and creates great music. SiR is a talented artist who is underrated as well and deserves more recognition.
Remember when I said Black women are queens? Well, Track 14 is the example of that with Queen Latifah being added on the track. It is an ode to black women everywhere and the title of the song “Hatshepsut” is the name of the second female Pharaoh ever.
Sojourner Truth is another example of the power of black women. Born into slavery, she escaped to freedom with her daughter. Instead of leaving people alone and living her best life she used her freedom to help others achieve it. She advocated for women’s rights and better treatment of African Americans. J. Cole is a person that can give you wisdom in bars, and even though he wasn’t on the track Rapsody gives Meek a shout. This makes sense as he is one who has been locked up and was recently freed.
Afeni Shakur is the other of one of the most influential rappers of all time Tupac. She is an outstanding woman that brought into this world and raised a Maverick. Tupac came from a black woman, one that everyone cherished along with Biggie’s mother as well the two are very strong. Track 16 talks about having her man’s back and protecting what’s yours. Afeni was a Black Panther as well which was protection for so many black people back in the day. Using the Tupac reiterating the degradation of black women is a perfect touch and a way to cap off the album. Reyna comes back in the end with her final words and one last poem as well. In keeping with the fashion of the Black Woman is God Reyna is speaking as a protector and a provider. Not of money but of life and one’s soul as well. We need to realize the beauty of Black Women and see it for what it is before we long for it and can’t find it one day.
ALBUM SCORE & RATING
OFFICIAL RATING: 9.9/10
STANDOUT TRACKS
There is no such thing as a perfect album which is why this gets a 9.9. However, Rapsody displays an immeasurable amount of wordplay, lyricism, content and overall fantastic music-making ability. This feels like it was crafted from the bottom up and so much thought was put into it that it deserves so much praise for this body of work. When I met her in person I told her I want my sister to listen to her and I think this may be the start to that statement.
