Rapsody Releases New Single & Music Vid

Rapsody Releases New Single & Music Vid

Critically-acclaimed Grammy®-nominated rapper Rapsody today premiered the music video for her new single, IBTIHAJ,” in NYC’s Times Square in partnership with BET. Produced by 9th Wonder, the track features guest vocals from D’Angelo and The GZA. The music video includes appearances by The GZAMary J. Blige, and Roxanne ShantéIBTIHAJ” is the lead single from Rapsody’s forthcoming third studio album, Eve, set for release via Roc Nation (in partnership with Def Jam Recordings) on August 23. The single is available now across digital platforms here and the video can be viewed here.

 

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 accompanying video, directed by Jay Scorsese, pays homage to New York and Muslim women of color.

“IBTIHAJ,” provides a powerful introduction to the upcoming album EVE. Named after the Bible’s original woman, Rapsody’s third full-length album is dedicated to the celebration and empowerment of women of color worldwide. Each song on the album is titled after a legendary black female, helping shed light on the people that have served as inspirations for Rapsody through the years.

“The stories behind the songs on EVE are inspiring, and I wanted to do my part in celebrating these women in the best way I know how,” states Rapsody. “I want to not only help tell these stories but help further each woman’s legacy and spark curiosity in people to learn more about them.”

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.

To prepare for EVE’s release, it was recently announced that Rapsody will support Common on select dates for his “Let Love Tour” this month. For a full list of dates check here.

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