Rapsody albums are masterclasses in lyricism, manufacturing, and – above all – authenticity. The North Carolinian rapper can also be a type of artists that appears to enhance with each launch. After placing out a couple of data along with her first group Kooley Excessive, she was signed by 9th Wonder and launched her first solo mixtape in 2010 at age 27. She would go on to launch two follow-up mixtapes earlier than dropping her first full-length album, The Thought of Lovely. Her dream of a rap profession started when she was ten years previous and first noticed MC Lyte’s video for “Poor Georgie.”
In a 2020 interview with Talib Kweli on Individuals’s Occasion, Rapsody mentioned the observe “made her fall in love with storytelling.” It additionally satisfied her that rap was a viable path for a girl. Since her first album got here out, a gradual stream of music has frequently poured out of her. With one other mixtape and three LPs launched over the following 14 years, Rapsody is considered one of modern hip-hop’s greatest ladies MCs. As troublesome as it’s to rank such a gifted artist’s output, we’re going to undergo all of the Rapsody albums and mixtapes, beginning with the less-than-perfect and transferring as much as the most effective.
Thank H.E.R. Now (2011)
On her second mixtape, Rapsody surrounds herself with a powerful firm of collaborators. The likes of Raekwon, Huge Okay.R.I.T, Mac Miller, and Murs all play small roles on this bold mission, although Rapsody stays middle stage. The emcee’s storytelling talents are evident on the observe “Lampin’,” as she takes the listener by her struggles and victories. Moments like these present why Rapsody is such a relatable rapper. Different tracks like “Fly Woman Energy!” and “High 5” reveal her capacity to seek out concord with featured rappers and her unstoppable wordplay. Whereas the mixtape has a really robust starting, it finally struggles slightly to maintain its momentum throughout 20 tracks. There are gems on the tail finish, however listeners might have some bother sticking round to expertise them.
For Every thing (2011)
Rapsody’s third mixtape, For Every thing, is a second of serious improvement for her artwork. It was a catalytic occasion that helped synthesize her many strengths as an emcee. The mixtape feels extremely autobiographical, with songs like “A Crush Groove,” “This Lady’s Work,” and “The Autobiography of M.E.” all taking listeners by intimate experiences and pivotal occasions in her private life. The final of those, “The Autobiography of M.E.,” is a excessive level, discussing her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, dropping her virginity at 16, and being rejected by Pharrell Williams.
This document additionally options her holding her personal on collaborations with heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar and Freeway. For all of its strengths, the mixtape is a bit constrained by the vary of beat choice. Due to this, it would develop into barely repetitive for some listeners. Even so, For Every thing was a powerful return to Rapsody’s spectacular debut, Return of the B-Woman, and helped present the world she had no intentions of slowing down.
The Thought Of Lovely (2012)
Of all of the Rapsody albums, The Thought of Lovely makes the most important leap when it comes to lyrical development. This debut full-length contains a distinct and refined voice that’s come a good distance since Return Of The B-Woman, her first mixtape. In some methods, this album continues the place the autobiographical depth of For Every thing left off. With tracks like “Good Good Love” and “Within the City,” Rapsody exhibits us simply how a lot her storytelling capabilities have developed.
In different methods, she makes use of the album as a love letter to hip-hop, with tracks giving tasteful nods to her influences. “Type of Love” and “Future” are two that stand out – the previous as a thanks to Lauryn Hill and the latter as a direct letter to Jay-Z. Although actually not falling to the extent of being filler, a few tracks on the album really feel misplaced. This minor unevenness is nearly negligible however does set the album decrease than her later full-length releases.
Return Of The B-Woman (2010)
It may appear odd to position Rapsody’s first mixtape so excessive up on this record – particularly after mentioning how The Thought of Lovely exhibits a lot evolution. Consider it like this: mixtapes will be considered a form of proving floor the place artists experiment and showcase their uncooked expertise. Rapsody’s first, Return of the B-Woman, with its Star Wars-styled cowl, is rather more than this. It’s rather more than anybody might anticipate from a primary mixtape.
Rapsody got here out of the gates with a mixtape that gave the impression of an album. It confirmed the hip-hop world how severe Rapsody was, with its painstakingly crafted verses and extremely detailed manufacturing. In that regard, you may’t assist however discover ninth Surprise’s heavy affect. Visitor appearances loom massive as properly, with verses from the likes of Mac Miller and Huge Daddy Kane. Regardless of all of this, Rapsody is all the time in entrance as a commanding presence all through the tracks. The influence of MC Lyte and Lauryn Hill additionally shines by within the rapper’s versatility, one thing that may develop into increasingly pronounced within the ensuing years.
Laila’s Knowledge (2017)
Laila’s Wisdom challenges contemporary hip-hop traits greater than the entire Rapsody albums. Whereas all the time thought-about a acutely aware rapper, she takes issues to a completely new stage in her sophomore effort. The document is a piece of self-love that earnestly avoids any shows of vanity. This document, devoted to Rapsody’s late maternal grandmother, Laila, is the fruits of years of relentless effort. It’s no secret that hip-hop usually suffers from an absence of girls’s perspective, and it’s right here that Rapsody proves herself to be the antidote. Not each single second of the album is absolutely realized, however as an entire, it showcases unbelievable storytelling prowess and lyrical versatility. Some tracks lean light-hearted, and a few are deep dives into complicated matters, however the thread connecting all of them is considerate, relatable narratives with compelling supply.
She Bought Recreation (2013)
The She Got Game mixtape was launched between Rapsody’s first and second albums. It’s most likely her excellent mixtape and is an never-ending onslaught that blends her varied abilities. She Bought Recreation is so fascinating as a result of it’s a many-sided expertise. Crammed with soul samples and heat tones, it shows a purposeful and infectious ’90s vibe. Rapsody’s efficiency on the mixtape is as considerate as ever but in addition showcases a soothing, easy aspect. There’s severe lyrical dexterity on this document that leaves the listener feeling like they’re watching a hip-hop nice’s rise to the highest. From “A Music About Nothing,” which magically makes day by day trivia really feel extremely attention-grabbing, to “Darkish Knights,” the place Batman puns and quips rain down relentlessly, the mixtape is a piece of relentless lyrical improvement and mental development.
Please Don’t Cry (2024)
The most recent Rapsody album, 2024’s Please Don’t Cry, is a sonic journey. This document deserves a number of consideration and exhibits simply how a lot Rapsody continues to contribute to hip-hop. Even throughout 22 tracks, the document hits almost each mark with precision. On earlier releases, Rapsody appeared to have bother sustaining her exceptional talents over such lengthy playtimes. Please Don’t Cry exhibits that she now has the stamina for that and maybe extra.
Among the tracks on this album are elite. Take “DND,” as an illustration, which one way or the other seamlessly weaves collectively the essence of music from cities as numerous as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. From the primary observe, Rapsody unavoidably attracts you into her life and offers you extra of what she gave to Eve. Music you could carry with you, that isn’t simply one thing to bump at a celebration or within the automotive. The document exhibits that Rapsody is way from carried out in relation to pushing boundaries and transferring hip-hop to a brand new stage.
Eve (2019)
In right now’s less-than-cohesive hip-hop panorama, Eve stands tall as one of the vital unified data of the 2010s. This document is an unbelievably well-crafted idea album, an more and more uncommon creature in our digital world of rapid-fire singles and EPs. The document stands out as a result of it appears to nearly fully eschew any considerations over Billboard chart rankings. It’s a work of affection that prospers on narrative cohesion and an alarming depth of storytelling. The quantity of labor that went into Eve is clear on repeat listening if you start to appreciate that every thing–all the way down to the syllable–is purposeful. The multi-dimensional songs reveal their layers slowly over time, rewarding followers who return time and again. All of this works to make Eve a modern classic
Rapsody’s unwavering authenticity blares by like hi-beams on a abandoned nation street at evening. Because the album unfolds, one factor turns into clearer and clearer: Rapsody isn’t vying to be the most effective girl emcee within the sport. She is capturing to be one of many best rappers who ever lived. Eve is a type of particular albums that–with none doubt–manifests the age-old knowledge that real feeling and arduous work will all the time shine by.