Photo: Bandcamp
More and more modern artists like Beyonce, Arlo Parks and Jamila Woods embrace spoken word in their music, and Rapsody is no exception. The 41 year old rapper's new album Please don't Cry is her fourth, and finest to date, littered with poetry and hard truths.
Marlanna Evans, the artist better known by the name Rapsody, had already collaborated with Erykah Badu before she made her first album. After signing with 9th Wonder's label Jamla Records, she continued the craft featuring on Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp a Butterfly, rapping about self respect on the track 'Complexion (A Zulu Love)'.
Unlike the title, Please Don't Cry, suggests, Rapsody’s new record embraces vulnerability and encourages listeners to work through their emotions. The opener 'She’s Expecting You' is more like a scene from a film than a song, an audible re-enactment where Rapsody seeks console from a wise woman, played by the actress Phylicia Rashad, in the back of a shop.
The theme of self exploration continues through 'Marlanna', a song full of attitude which opens and asks the question, who am I?
Rapsody uses 'Asteroids' as her opportunity to clap back at those who diss female rappers. The affirming track, which features production from the American rapper Hit Boy, feels like she is claiming her stake in hip-hop.
The song is also an ode to Lauryn Hill, a foundational artist for Rapsody, and a warning to herself to not bury her talents, despite not always making money from them. Rapsody is careful to mention her forebears: the greats who paved the way for artists like her from Nas, to Mary J Blige, and Bob Marley.
Other big names that feature are Lill Wayne, Baby Tate, Alex Isley, Niko Brim and her very own hero Erykah Badu. She and Rapsody previewed their song '3 AM' in Dallas on stage at Badu’s 53rd birthday. It's seductive with smooth production and thick r&b syrup. The romantic duet shines with lines like "You could take the sour out of lemons with your sweetness".
After narrowing down an extrodinary 350 potential songs for Please Don't Cry, Rapsody has successfully served up 22 that pack a punch, full of wordplay and honesty.
Despite being hailed by critics as one of the finest lyricists in hip-hop, and being backed by Jay Z’s label, Rapsody hasn't achieved commercial success like Megan thee stallion, Cardi B, or Nicki Minaj. In Interviews about the record, she says she wanted the album to be a lighthouse for people to find their way back into themselves. A worthy and authentic intention for any body of work.
