OUT NOW: Rapsody “EVE”
RAPSODY
EVE
The Rapper’s Highly Anticipated Third Album, Also Includes Features from Elle Varner, K Roosevelt, Leikeli 47, Mereba, PJ Morton & Sir
Grammy-nominated rapper and Jamla Records recording artist Rapsody celebrates women of color worldwide with the release of her highly anticipated third full-length album EVE, available now across digital platforms via Roc Nation in partnership with Def Jam Recordings. Executive produced by Rapsody, Young Guru, and 9th Wonder, along with production from Khrysis, Nottz, Eric, and Mark Byrd, EVE is comprised of songs named after iconic women of color from both past and present. Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Ibtihaj Muhammad and Sojourner Truth are just some of the 15 black female heroes paid tribute to. Rapsody also released a new music video for the album’s track “NINA,” named after Nina Simone, which can be viewed here. EVE is now available to purchase or stream here.
The rapper also announced this week that she will be joining rap star Big K.R.I.T. on the “From The South With Love Tour” this fall, to support the new LP. Full tour dates are provided below, and tickets are on sale now here.
The album sees unmatched star power in its list of guest features from legends like D’Angelo and GZA, who teamed up with Rapsody for the album’s first single “IBTIHAJ,” to Queen Latifah. Current rap stars like J. Cole and J.I.D as well as R&B crooner PJ Morton are also featured on the album in addition toElle Varner, Sir, K Roosevelt, Leikeli 47, Mereba and an interlude from spoken word artist Reyna Biddy.
Along with the album, Rapsody treats fans to a visual for the album’s opener “NINA,” her first self-directed music video. The stunning visual was shot in North Carolina to pay homage to both Rapsody and Nina Simone’s simple, Southern roots. The video’s stripped down aesthetic lends itself to the song’s soul-baring lyrics, which take listeners on a vulnerable journey. In an interview with NPR, Rapsody says of the song: “One of my favorite quotes from Nina Simone is, ‘An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.’ That’s where I wanted to start. …That song [‘Strange Fruit,’ which the track samples], and particularly Nina Simone, says a lot about who I am, why I make the music that I make and what I want my legacy to be. That’s why I started there.”
“NINA” follows the album’s first music video “IBTIHAJ,” which was directed by Jay Scorsese and co-directed by Misa Hylton, and released earlier this month to critical acclaim. The video includes appearances by GZA, Mary J. Blige, and Roxanne Shanté. The song’s title pays tribute to Ibtihaj Muhammad. A member of the United States national fencing team, Ibtihaj became the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the US in the Olympics in 2016. The song’s lyrics speak to having confidence in oneself, being fearless, and standing by one’s beliefs while the music video pays homage to New York and Muslim women of color. The single is available now across digital platforms here and the video can be viewed here.
Eve succeeds Rapsody’s two previous albums, both praised by critics at-large — the 2012 debut The Idea of Beautiful and 2017’s Laila’s Wisdom, which featured a star-studded group of guests (Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Busta Rhymes, Musiq Soulchild, etc) and made her a bonafide rap star. Laila’s Wisdom was nominated for two Grammys® in 2018: Best Rap Song (for “Sassy”) and Best Rap Album, making her the only female nominated in the latter category that year. The groundwork laid prior to Laila’s Wisdom included her outstanding verse on Anderson.Paak’s “Without U” and her first GRAMMY nomination for her exceptional performance on Kendrick Lamar’s sophomore album To Pimp A Butterfly.
Fans are able to celebrate the release of Rapsody’s latest album with a new collection of merch from the rapper, including a limited edition letterman jackets inspired EVE, available now here.
OFFICIAL TRACKLIST FOR EVE
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NINA
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CLEO
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AALIYAH
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OPRAH ft Leikeli 47
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WHOOPI
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SERENA
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TYRA
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MAYA ft K Roosevelt
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IBTIHAJ ft D’angelo + GZA
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MYRLIE ft Mereba
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Reyna’s Interlude
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MICHELLE ft Elle Varner
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IMAN ft Sir + JID
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HATSHEPSUT ft Queen Latifah
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SOJOURNER ft J Cole
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AFENI ft PJ Morton
Upcoming Tour dates with Big K.R.I.T.
10/4/19 – Los Angeles, CA – Belasco Theater
10/5/19 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
10/6/19 – Santa Ana, California – The Observatory
10/8/19 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
10/9/19 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
10/11/19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
10/12/19 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
10/16/19 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
10/17/19 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
10/18/19 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
10/19/19 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
10/22/19 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe at Old National Centre
10/23/19 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
10/25/19 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
10/26/19 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
10/27/19 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
10/29/19 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
10/30/19 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
11/1/19 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
11/2/19 – Silver Spring, MD – Fillmore Silver Spring
11/4/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts
11/5/19 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
11/7/19 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
11/8/19 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
11/9/19 – Charlotte, NC – Fillmore Charlotte
11/10/19 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
11/12/19 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
11/13/19 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City Bham
11/14/19 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall
11/15/19 – Jackson, MS – Hal and Mal’s Club
11/16/19 – Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy
CONNECT WITH RAPSODY
Website – https://genesis320.com
Instagram – @rapsody
Facebook – fb.com/rapsodymusic
Twitter – @rapsody
