As the final months of 2018 approach, we can see that this was the year for women in rap, with Cardi B having an amazing year, acts such as Malibu Mitch, City Girls, Dreezy, and Kash Doll getting more recognition, and of course Rapsody being nominated by the Grammys for her second studio album “Laila’s Wisdom”, it has been a great year for women. The North Carolina rapper was up for best rap album against Tyler the Creator for “Flower Boy”, Migos for “Culture”, Jay Z for “4:44”, and the winner Kendrick Lamar for “DAMN”. In this list we see one thing that stands out, Rapsody is the only female rapper nominated for this category which was an amazing accomplishment and has received praise not only for the nomination, but for her amazing album as well.
Rapsody started rapping at North Carolina State University in the mid 2000’s. While in college, she started a Hip-Hop organization with members of her rap group called “Kooley High”, a legend of a producer named 9th Wonder listened to the group, gave them feedback, but in the process said that Rapsody was the star of the group. That happened in 2004 for, in 2008 she signed with 9th Wonder on “Jamla Records”. Since then “Return of the B-Girl”, “Thank H.E.R. Now”, “For Everything”, “She Got Game”, “The Idea of Beautiful”, & “Laila’s Wisdom” have all come out and she’s amounted much success and praise from her peers and fans. Rapsody has been featured on multiple projects. From Anderson Paak, to Big K.R.I.T, Talib Kewli, to two more in my top 5 rappers right now, Kendrick Lamar 3 times (Rock The Bells, Complexion, & Power) , and Royce da 5'9" on “PRhyme 2”. No matter the other rapper on the track she has gone toe to toe with them and bested them on track as well. Listing Jay Z as one of her favorite MC’s it’s easy to see why she is able to hold her own as 9th told her to memorize not only lyrics, but cadence and flow as well of one of Hov’s albums. Not only is Jay an influence for Rapsody but Lauryn HiIll as well, with a mixture of great rap influences like that, it’s no wonder why she can bar people to death when she wants to.
As a fan of Rapsody her lyricism is always a appreciated, but the message of her music is what is captivating. Whether it’s “Hard to Choose”, her verse on “Complexion”, or “Sassy” which she was also nominated for a grammy for as well, she is always trying to spew positivity along with dope wordplay. My friend Chris who may be a bigger Rapsody fan than I am had this to say about her.
“I met Rapsody for the first time when she performed Beauty and the Beast at the apple store. My friend Andrew introduced me to her music and the content of what she was rapping about and her lyricism just appealed to me. There aren’t too many artists I look up to like that. The second time we met was at SOBs. There were a lot of emotions running through my head because at the time I was recovering from a big surgery that had changed my life. The fact that she stopped to talk to me was amazing and it made me appreciate her as an artist even more, not just a female in the game. Just a week before my transplant Laila’s Wisdom was on repeat. I was rocking to it everywhere I went and she honestly helped me through so much. The third time we met was in Harlem and that was dope because she signed my shirt, I love her energy.” -Christian John
Rapsody has had an impact on both him and I, as he mention we saw her at the Apple store in Soho NY, where I was able to talk to her and tell her that I love her music and will put my little sister on when I feel the time is right. Next was SOB’s where I didn’t take a photo with her but I took one for Chris and let him have his moment as he spoke to her for a out 2 minutes. Although I didn’t get a photo with Rapsody, I did get a photo with 9th Wonder and Rory from “The Joe Budden Podcast”. Lastly when we saw her at Harlem, I have just gotten off work (late of course), missed every performance but still stayed to take a photo with Rapsody. I told her how dope she was and how everyone on Sway In The Morning where I interned (Shout out to Sway In The Morning!!! post coming soon) loves her as well. Rapsody is an amazing artist and it’s been dope seeing her grow every year and reach heights already that many want and it’s amazing to see women kicking ass in rap as well.
