AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Rapsody’s Superhero Draws On Kindness, Inner-Beauty & One Bad Chariot (Video)

Most people have visions of superhero grandeur. Hip-Hop artists from Curren$y to Raekwon have described theirs. Rapsody's superhero alter-ego would be known simply as "Queen Rap'." Just as her albums The Idea Of Beautiful and Beauty And The Beast have done with sharp lyricism, the North Carolina MC would use... Read more

Rapsody Reacts To Grammy Nomination & Confirms Guest On Next Album (Video Interview)

Last night, Rapsody and 9th Wonder performed at the second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. During Rap's set, her friend and collaborator Jay Electronica took the stage to publicly crown her "the best female lyricist since Lauryn Hill," and bestow her with his chain. Moments later, the Jamla... Read more

MC Lyte & Rapsody Recount Racist Assaults & Open Up About Being Women in Hip-Hop

February 1 marked the beginning of Black History Month, a yearly occasion during which African-American stories, issues, art, and conversations are shared with more visibility than perhaps the rest of the year. In today's atmosphere - where "Black lives matter" is not just an aside in a casual conversation and... Read more

Rapsody’s Tiny Desk Concert With A Full Band Is Must Watch Music (Video)

Rapsody kicks off NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts" series for 2016. Joined by mentor 9th Wonder (on the drum/sample pads) and a full band, Rapsody pulls three songs from different places in her discography. With Howard University students in attendance, Rap' performs "Godzilla," "The Man," and "Hard To Choose." There is... Read more

Rapsody Had One Of The Best 2015’s Imaginable. From Kendrick To Dre, She Reflects…

"My year was awesome," Rapsody states in her latest interview. The Wilson, North Carolina MC born Marlanna Evans has garnered lots of acclaim in recent years. Her 2012 debut studio album, The Idea Of Beautiful made strong waves in a tipping point year for new Hip-Hop talent. 2013's She Got... Read more

DJ Premier, Slum Village, Royce Da 5’9″, Rapsody & 9th Wonder To Perform At 2016 J Dilla Weekend

The second annual J Dilla Weekend has been announced. The Miami, Florida extension of Detroit, Michigan's longstanding J Dilla Day will take place on February 5-7, 2016. Hosted by Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey (Dilla's mother), the event continues a rich tradition of celebrating James Yancey's life and music through performances,... Read more

Add-2 & Rapsody Go Back & Forth In Lyrics, And In This Cool Visual (Video)

Add-2 released his Prey For The Poor two months ago. The Chicago, Illinois native and Jamla Records artist continues a streak of poignant Rap over soulful beats. "Stop Play Rewind" is one such track that maintains the strong chemistry established by he and Rapsody over recent compilations, and each other's... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. & Rapsody Slice Up a 9th Wonder Beat With That Guillotine Flow (Audio)

Two of Hip-Hop's top lyricists in Big. K.R.I.T. and Rapsody have linked again to paint a precise picture over a 9th Wonder canvas. This is not Rap and K.R.I.T.'s first rodeo together, as the pair linked on Rapsody's She Got Game gem, "Lonely Thoughts," also featuring Chance The Rapper. As... Read more

Talib Kweli, Rapsody & 9th Wonder Reconsider The Meaning Of “Ghetto” (Video)

Last week, Talib Kweli, Rapsody, and 9th Wonder released "Every Ghetto." The DJ Hi-Tek-produced collaborative single is a hallmark release for the Indie 500 conglomerate, and its follow-up video proves it. Traveling from Brooklyn, New York to Cincinnati, Ohio, the soulful song examines at neighborhoods that are often called "ghettos"... Read more

Talib Kweli & Rapsody Raise Fists Not Arms on “Every Ghetto” (Audio)

Earlier this week, Talib Kweli premiered a new song on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, that featured Rapsody and a production by Hi-Tek. "Every Ghetto" is loud and proud and carries a message of strength, frustration and revolution. Now, they have released the studio-recorded version and its themes are... Read more

Talib Kweli & Rapsody Debut a New Song Live…& The Revolution Is Televised (Video)

On last night's episode of "The Tonight Show," Talib Kweli and Rapsody visited Jimmy Fallon and performed a no frills rendition of "Every Ghetto," the latest single from Kweli's forthcoming Indie 500, a name first introduced to Heads last year when it was announced that Pharoahe Monch, 9th Wonder, and... Read more

Jamla’s Army Rolls Deep With Add-2 & Rapsody Ripping Up A Khrysis Beat (Audio)

Chicago, Illinois MC Add-2 is wrapping up his sophomore release with 9th Wonder's Jamla Records. Prey For The Poor (September 4). This go-round features one of the newer additions to the Army, alongside its resident flagship artist, Rapsody. "Rewind" finds the "It's OK" cast, complete with Khrysis' soulful production, back... Read more

Rapsody Recruits Joey Bada$$ for the Remix to “Don’t Need It” (Audio)

Rapsody brings in Joey Bada$$ for the remix to her song, "Don't Need It" from her 2014 album, Beauty & The Beast. In addition to words from the "Badman," she adds a blistering new third verse that stunts heavily on those who continue to sleep on her outsized lyrical skills.... Read more

Rapsody, Stacy Epps & Boog Brown Prove Diamond D Beats Are A Woman’s Best Friend (Video)

"Pump Ya Brakes" is another standout from Diamond D's 2014 album, The Diam Piece. On an upbeat composition, the Diggin' In The Crates producer/MC aligns Rapsody, Stacy Epps, and Boog Brown for a lyrical exhibition from some of the nicest in the game. North Carolina to Atlanta to New York... Read more

Rapsody Uses TVs As A Metaphor For The Message In The Music (Video)

"What we chase ain't the same / I'm still that rapper / That your favorite rapper's scared to rap after." - Rapsody At a pinnacle point in her career, Rapsody releases the video for "Hard To Choose." The 9th Wonder-produced track is a topical examination of where Rap' is at, and... Read more

Mr. Porter, Rapsody & Scram Jones Celebrate The Sleepers (Video)

Mr. Porter (n/k/a dEnAuN) knows a little something about what Biz Markie called "The Vapors." The D12 member, Shady Records conduit, and longtime top producer does not get the recognition that matches his accolades. With a few name-changes in his career, he's anything but a household name, especially considering his... Read more

Rapsody Drops a Thunder Clap Freestyle Over Biggie’s Who Shot Ya (Video)

Rapsody's profile has taken on new heights over the last few weeks after her inclusion as one of only two guest MCs on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album. Now, she and Kendrick have something else in common as each has dropped rough and rugged freestyles over The Notorious... Read more

Rapsody Revamps Beauty And The Beast With 3 New Songs. Check Out This One (Audio)

Through the #1 album in the country for two weeks straight, Rapsody is reaching audiences the Raleigh, North Carolina MC previously has not. Hearing "Complexion" on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, listeners inevitably want to know more. So last year, when Rapsody released Beauty And The Beast, an EP... Read more

Rapsody Breaks The Backboard With A Freestyle, After Discussing Race & Complexion (Videos)

Rapsody continues to garner strong attention over the last month. Since appearing on "Complexion" from Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, the Jamla Records veteran (of sorts) has a story that everyone is curious about. Rap' appeared on HOT 97's Ebro In The Morning this week, to speak with E,... Read more

Rapsody Discusses Being One of Only 2 Guest MCs On Kendrick Lamar’s New Album (Video)

Unlike many of today's Hip-Hop albums, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly LP did not feature a lot of guest contributions. There were no verses from previous collaborators like Drake, J. Cole and A$AP Rocky. None of Kendrick's TDE label mates such as Jay Rock, Ab-Soul or Schoolboy Q joined... Read more

With Millions Stuck On Her Words, Rapsody Commands The Moment (Video)

Rapsody fans know how important this week truly is. Appearing on Kendrick Lamar's record-breaking To Pimp A Butterfly as of its Monday sneak attack release, it is presumed that the Kooley High alum and Jamla Records artist is meeting many ears for the first time. However, for those who have... Read more

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly Tracklist Features Rapsody, Snoop Dogg & Bilal

Less than 10 days away from release, it appears that the tracklist to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly has been made public. iTunes posted the tracks to the March 23 sophomore major label album from the Compton, California star. While only five featured guests were included on 2012's good... Read more

Crossing The Oceans To Rock Stages, Rapsody Looks To The Lens As Godzilla (Video)

Rapsody's reputation for crushing mics has grown by leaps and bounds in the last year. Although Heads have been praising the North Carolina MC since the Kooley High days, long before The Idea Of Beautiful, 2014 just somehow served as a penetrating late pass for all the tardy fans to... Read more

Rapsody Drops An Insightful Illustration Of Injustice Today In 2 Songs (Audio)

Throughout the headlines of the last month, oppression appears to be at the root of the biggest stories of the day. Whether racism, sexism, police brutality, domestic abuse, social unrest, all of these topics trace down to people being oppressed by another—another person, a people, an institution, a governing body,... Read more

CyHi The Prynce, Rapsody & Caskey Light Up This Team Backpack Cypher (Video)

Team Backpack cyphers have become a staple in the Hip-Hop zeitgeist for several years now. The collective's videos have made stars out of fresh-faced artists, and cultivated talent in a format that Heads can respect: the free-form cypher. It's competitive, it's stripped-down, it's pure MC'ing. So how about this? T.B.P... Read more

Rapsody Got Drama For Days (Video)

When she wants to dramatize her verses, Rapsody literally goes underground. Jamla's current flagship artist tells the tale of Beauty & The Beast with the latest visual to her just-released EP. With her team surrounding her, the Kooley High alum spins the yarns on why she's among the best, and... Read more

Rapsody & 9th Wonder Are Knocking Down Conventions Like Godzilla (Audio)

Rapsody is in her zone! The Jamla MC hops on yet another 9th Wonder beat and has a wordplay extravaganza on "Godzilla." The Beauty & The Beast joint is a strong statement about how only God is illa' and the rest of the MC crop best step aside for one... Read more

Rapsody Brings The Drama (Audio)

On her upcoming Beauty & The Beast EP (October 7), Rapsody is trying new things. After more than five years patiently waiting in the Hip-Hop independent crosswinds, Rap' is downright taking hers by force. The Khrysis-produced "Drama" (which Heads got a glimpse of last week) lives up to its name.... Read more

Rapsody Says It’s Hard To Choose, But It’s Not Hard To Choose Rapsody (Audio)

Leading up October 7's Beauty And The Beast, Rapsody is pulling out all the stops. "Hard To Choose," produced by 9th Wonder, takes strong audit of the North Carolina native's career, and choices as such. Citing everybody from DJ Kool Herc to Afrika Bambaataa to MC Lyte, Rap' explains the... Read more

From CNN Headlines To NFL Storylines, Rapsody Uses It In This Freestyle (Audio)

Some artists have a nonchalant way of showing just how well-read they are. Today, Rapsody dropped a freestyle, "I'm A Beast" overtop the "Hoover Street" instrumental. Here, the Jamla flagship artist showcases her ties to the issues, ranging from the murder of Michael Brown to Tony Romo's missteps at quarterback... Read more

Diamond D’s Got An August Album Featuring Pete Rock, The Pharcyde, Rapsody & Kurupt

Founding D.I.T.C. member Diamond D has announced his first album since 2008. The Bronx, New York-born MC/producer/DJ credited with discovering Fat Joe will release his fourth studio LP, The Diam Piece on August 26, 2014. After 25 years of making music (dating back to his Strong City Records outfit The... Read more

Over A Sparse Beat, Rapsody Calls Out The Illuminaughty (Video)

Produced by 9th Wonder, Rapsody's "Illuminaughty" is as effective an 85 seconds as Heads can get in 2014. The song features some whimsical wordplay, but to-the-point lyricism on why terms like "ill" are applicable to the Jamla Records MC. This hails from Winter's Jamla Is The Squad mixtape. Related: Rapsody’s... Read more

Rapsody’s Betty Shabazz Shows Her Commanding MC Skills All In One Place On A 9th Wonder Nodder (Video)

For some Rapsody fans, this week has been bittersweet. With an acclaimed independent album and a show-stopping mixtape under her belt, many Heads were looking to see Rap's joyful smile grace the upcoming XXL pages for 2014's annual "Freshmen issue." The questions and disappointment from some, when the Kooley High... Read more

Rapsody Plants Some Roses In Your Brain With A Khrysis Beat (Audio)

Rapsody's ill linguistics are constantly elevating. In less than two minutes, Rap' takes a fresh Khrysis beat, and shows out on it. "Roses" follows the concept/substance-driven "Thank You" from late last month, showing some of the many sides of one of Hip-Hop's sharpest pens and performers. Related: Rapsody Thanks Some... Read more

Rapsody Thanks Some Of The People Who Have Helped Her Along the Way (Video)

Since her days in Kooley High, Rapsody's been a very gracious artist. To peers, to media, to behind-the-scenes friends, and especially to fans, Rap' has been very thankful (just look at her Twitter interactions). If that wasn't enough, she made a song (from She Got Game) and now a video,... Read more

Rapsody Explains the Concept of Her Thank You Very Much Video (Video)

Rapsody has been a special artist to us for a number of years. In addition to being one of the illest lyricists out, she also gave us one of our first interviews when we were just getting started. Her talent is only matched by her humility and authenticity. Recently, Rapsody... Read more

Rapsody Paints Her Numbers On The Boards With Some Attitude (Audio)

This month, Pusha T's "Numbers On The Boards" has its first birthday. That doesn't mean that the grimy instrumental created by DJ Don Cannon and Kanye West doesn't still attract MCs from elsewhere to mold it to them. Such is the case with Rapsody. She barely stops for air as... Read more

9th Wonder, Rapsody & Add-2 Stop By Juan Epstein To Show That Jamla Is The Squad (Audio)

Peter Rosenberg & Cipha Sounds Juan Epstein interviews are quickly ramping up in 2014. From 3rd Bass' MC Serch and A&R extraordinaire Dante Ross already (with conflicting views in some places), the radio duo hones in on 9th Wonder and two of his Jamla Records stand-outs, Rapsody and newer addition,... Read more

Pete Rock, Rapsody & Lecrae Find The Good In Things, On A Khrysis Beat (Audio)

Jamla most definitely Is The Squad, especially this week. 9th Wonder's imprint has set the week ablaze with leaks from the upcoming project, mixed by Statik Selektah. If you thought Rapsody's She Got Game was impressive with its vocal and production chemistry with other artists, you'll enjoy "Be Inspired." In... Read more

Rapsody Catches A Moment In Time With Jay Z

When Rapsody crossed paths with DJ Premier in 2013, Ambrosia For Heads thought it was powerful, important. This past weekend, the Jamla Records artist who dazzled us with She Got Game in 2013, and The Idea Of Beautiful in 2012, stood alongside Jay Z backstage at the Magna Carta Holy... Read more

Here’s New Music From Rapsody. Check Out Illuminaughty Produced by 9th Wonder (Audio)

Rapsody is staying on her grind and finishing the year like she started...STRONG. Here's another new track from her off the forthcoming Jamla is the Squad compilation. The beat is courtesy of 9th Wonder. Check out Illuminaughty. Related: New Music From Rapsody to Wind Down the Year? Why not…Here’s Betty... Read more

New Music From Rapsody to Wind Down the Year? Why not…Here’s Betty Shabazz (Audio)

Rapsody goes HAM on a knocking 9th Wonder track. Check out Betty Shabazz from the upcoming Jamla is the Squad compilation from 9th Wonder's label. Related: 9th Wonder talks owning his own label, creating beats and more with AFH (Video)... Read more

This Week’s Hip-Hop Round Up is Strictly About the Music Videos…Kendrick, Eminem, K.R.I.T., Rapsody and More (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video was highlighted by several visually-compelling music videos. Rapsody transformed into The Joker, Kendrick Lamar had an artist create a piece for Sing About Me, Eminem sought out Dr. Dre and Rihanna for therapy and more. Check out the video playlist below. Related: Last Week in... Read more

Rapsody Transforms Into the Joker in the Video for Dark Knights (Video)

Though she did not have an "album" in 2013, Rapsody had her strongest year ever with She Got Game. One of the many standout tracks from the project was Dark Knights which uses Batman metaphors throughout. Rapsody takes it one step further in the video by transforming into the Joker... Read more

Exclusive: Rapsody & 9th Wonder Are In Our Area, Causing Mass Hysteria (Audio)

As Rapsody pulled from Nas' famous entrance phrase on "Halftime," 9th Wonder channeled Large Professor's echoey reverb and thumbing percussion for "Mass Hysteria"—which we are proud to premiere at AFH. Rap gives some of her finest wordplay on this cut which is mostly about being dope, but veers into some... Read more

Wax, Rapsody, Emis Killa, Rittz & Jon Connor Shine in the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher (Video)

2013 was a strong year for up and coming MCs in the Cypher. In addition to Problem, Asia Sparks, Bad Lucc and Astro getting busy in a previously released Cypher, Wax, Emis Killa, Rapsody, Rittz and Jon Connor put in work last night. In the midst of it all, Jon... Read more

Rapsody – Kingship (Video)

She Got Game continues to slam dunk its way onto iPods, CD-Rs, and playlists everywhere. Rapsody made a video for standout single "Kingship," produced by the almighty DJ Premier. Shot in HeadCourterz Studios in Midtown Manhattan, two masters at work, where one master has been working for 20 years and... Read more

Rapsody – Lonely Thoughts ft Big K.R.I.T. & Chance The Rapper

As if "Jedi Code" wasn't enough, Rapsody hits us off with another show-stopping collaboration from She Got Game. That project is going retail on September 17, as Rap leads off, then passing the mic from Mississippi to Chi-town, courtesy of Big K.R.I.T. and Chance The Rapper. I heard "Mixtape Of... Read more

Rapsody – Jedi Code ft Phonte & Jay Electronica

I had to sit down for this one. Seriously. It's not knee-jerk early-edition hyperbole for me to deem this my favorite collaboration of 2013. In the order of appearance, Phonte calls back to Minstrel Show Phonte, not to say that he hasn't had lethal bars since then, but this cocky... Read more

Rapsody – Kingship (Prod. DJ Premier)

I attended a small listening session for Rapsody's upcoming mixtape She Got Game last night. It is hands down one of the best projects of the year so far (album or mixtape) with production from 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Terrace Martin and more, as well as guest verses from Ab-Soul, Raekwon,... Read more