Noname’s Debut Mixtape ‘Telefone’ Is Here & It’s Off the Hook

Chicago, Illinois is proving to be one of the MVPs in putting forth artists whose inventive sounds are helping to define an entire generation of Hip-Hop and Soul. From Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book, Vic Mensa’s There’s Alot Going On, to Jamila Woods’ HEAVN, the Windy City is birthing a seemingly endless array of young talent armed with powerful messages that range from the intensely personal to the outspokenly political. Yesterday (July 31), Noname added her list to the Chi’s current class of top-notch solo artists with her debut mixtape, Telefone.

Noname Gypsy’s Latest Proves It’s All About Talent, Not Chance (Audio)

Heads may recognize her by her previous moniker Noname Gypsy, as whom she made an appearance on Chance’s “Lost,” from his 2013 mixtape Acid Rap. But with Telefone, the slam poetess and MC has stepped into her own after standout appearances on projects from Mick Jenkins, Kirk Knight, and theMIND to name a few. Featuring Raury, Saba, theMIND, and a host of up-and-comers, Telefone is both nostalgic and forward-thinking, with Noname rapping about memories and moments yet to be realized. “Sunny Duet” has elements of Doo-Wop and Jill Scott’s “Love Rain,” while “Casket Pretty” laments on the gun violence that has plagued her native city for far, far too long. The imagery conjured up by her verses is proof of her poetic prowess, but make no mistake: Noname isn’t just a poet making Rap.

Heads can keep up with Noname’s work by visiting her official website.