Jamla Archives

Rapsody’s New Song With Kendrick Lamar Shows Hip-Hop’s Power Remains With Real MCs (Audio)

Tomorrow (September 22), Rapsody will release her long-awaited Laila's Wisdom album. Already promising to be the biggest release in the North Carolina MC's decorated career, the LP marks the first with backing from JAY-Z's Roc Nation, along with that of her mentor, 9th Wonder, and Jamla Records. Rapsody Is Releasing... Read more

September 21, 2017 Audio

From Gold Diggers To Deadbeats, Rapsody Says Ante Up. Enough Is Enough (Audio)

One week from today, Rapsody will release Laila's Wisdom. This will be the first full-length album from the Jamla flagship artist, since joining the Roc Nation family. A proven master at rhyme concepts and storytelling, "Pay Up" shows more of the polish that this next LP will contain. Rapsody’s Laila's... Read more

September 15, 2017 Audio

Women In Rap Are Back & They Don’t Dance. They Make Money Moves (Video)

2017 may prove to be a watershed year in Hip-Hop. Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. married concept and advanced technical lyricism with commercial dominance in a way that forced the mainstream to conform. As recently as last week, artists from Logic to Bun B to Trae Tha Truth are taking action on... Read more

September 2, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Rapsody Shows There’s More Worth In Rapping For Live Presidents (Audio)

For the third week in a row, Rapsody has set free another potent example of her virtuosity as an MC. The Snow Hill, North Carolina Roc Nation signee (and Jamla roster member) has been celebrating #JamRocFridays, a series of releases which, by all outward appearances, seem to be in anticipation... Read more

July 22, 2017 Audio

Rapsody Shows Once Again That Few MCs Can Hang With Her Whether Male Of Female (Audio)

For fans of Rapsody, the last couple of weeks have been golden. The North Carolina MC is celebrating her two musical families, Jamla and Roc Nation, with #JamRocFridays, releasing new music for what are now two consecutive weeks. As fans continue to anticipate the impending release of her first full... Read more

July 15, 2017 Audio

9th Wonder & Salaam Remi Are Co-Producing The Roots’ Next Album

The Roots have not released an album in three years. ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin was the group's 11th album. Now confirmed to be called End Game, the twelfth effort is arriving in the near future. While the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania collective has worked extensively with Phonte on 2010's How... Read more

June 12, 2017 News

9th Wonder Releases 7 Beats Custom Made For Redman. It’s Time 4 Sum Aksion!! (Audio)

Redman's classic catalog includes some heavy-hitting producers. With a lot of co-production to his credit, Red' made many of his most celebrated hits with Def Squad mentor Erick Sermon. RZA, Pete Rock, Parrish Smith, DJ Scratch, and Rockwilder (who made a critical early appearance on Dare Iz A Darkside) are... Read more

June 1, 2017 Audio, Video

9th Wonder Confirms Kendrick Lamar’s Story About Top Dawg Plotting To Kill Kendrick’s Father

After nearly 48 hours since Kendrick Lamar released his latest album, DAMN., the Hip-Hop world is still unpacking the dense LP. Like most Kendrick Lamar albums, the project is multi-layered and deeply complex. On its face, DAMN. is arguably Kendrick's most straight-forward work, sonically. It has 3 club-ready beats from... Read more

April 15, 2017 Audio

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. 9th Wonder. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

January 26, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Rapsody & GQ Team Up & Show That Jamla Is The Squad That’s Saying Something (Audio)

North Carolina's Rapsody and Oakland, California's GQ have been two steadfast members of 9th Wonder's Jamla Records. In the last month, Rap' released her Crown EP. GQ has been quiet for much of 2016, since eloquently speaking his thoughts on an Oaktown' sidewalk in January. The former college basketball star... Read more

December 7, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Releases Her New “Crown” EP. Listen Here (Audio)

Just one day after dropping an ambitious double-header with the release of not one, but two singles, Rapsody's Crown EP has arrived. Yesterday (November 15), the Jamla rapper shared two jewels with Heads, first the Ambrosia for Heads-premiered "Mad" and then the Ab-Soul-assisted "2AM." But today (November 16), fans no... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Takes 3 Beats & An Ab-Soul Verse To Shine At 2am (Audio)

Rapsody and Ab-Soul have great collaborative history that dates back nearly five years. Soulo was one of the higher profile guests from The Idea of Beautiful, appearing on "NonFiction." With Rap's close ties to T.D.E., the pair come back together at "2 a.m." Released just hours after "Mad," this dynamic... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Is Going For The Crown & She Doesn’t Care Who’s Mad (Audio)

Rapsody is in a whole new atmosphere since she last checked in with Beauty and the Beast. Rap' now carries a Grammy award, thanks to her appearance on Kendrick Lamar's T.P.A.B. In addition to mentor 9th Wonder, she is also now backed by Jay Z's Roc Nation. She's been to... Read more

November 15, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Brings A Fiery Message Of Strength & Resilience Right On Time (Audio)

Two days after an election that stunned people on both sides, many are still reeling as they try to process a Presidency held by Donald Trump, after running a campaign rooted in racism, xenophobia and sexism. To some there is a belief that America is going to return to its... Read more

November 10, 2016 Audio

9th Wonder Makes A Powerful Case For Tolerance Between Generations In Hip-Hop

In recent weeks, there have been several incidents, primarily on social media, that suggest a generational divide within Hip-Hop. Three of the biggest breakout stars of the last year ran into isolated incidents, and collided with some of Rap's veterans. Beyond simply music, age played a factor in the conflicts... Read more

September 14, 2016 Food for Thought

Skyzoo & Apollo Brown Have An Album Coming. Here’s The Striking First Single (Audio)

Apollo Brown has fancied himself the producer-to-see to give lyricists a new sound. Ras Kass stood as the illest Hip-Hop heretic in Blasphemy. Diggin' In The Crates legend O.C. got medals for Trophies. Random Axe's Guilty Simpson rolled big in Dice Game. Next up, Skyzoo will release a full-length project... Read more

August 4, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Becomes The First Woman MC To Sign To Jay Z’s Roc Nation Label

For almost a decade, Snow Hill, North Carolina MC Rapsody has been paying dues in her Hip-Hop career. After acclaimed album The Idea Of Beautiful, standout mixtape She Got Game, and a key appearance on Kendrick Lamar's platinum #1 album To Pimp A Butterfly, Rapsody has landed her next major... Read more

July 16, 2016 News

Skyzoo Brilliantly Exacts “Revenge” On Jay Z On “Friend Or Foe Pt. 3″ (Audio)

Crown Heights Brooklyn MC Skyzoo grew up not far from the Marcy Houses that raised Jay Z. Although the two lyricists are more than a dozen years apart in age, S-K-Y always vocalized just how much S.Carter inspired his art and style. The extended, nasal bars, emphasis on brands and... Read more

June 30, 2016 Audio

Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder & Rapsody Remind Us the Best Is Yet to Come (Video)

Today, a new video from two veterans and a dominating voice in Hip-Hop's current generation is proving the lifespan of a 2015 release is far from over. Having arrived in November, the collaborative LP Indie 500 from Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder features 13 tracks speckled with appearances from some of... Read more

June 13, 2016 Video

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

April 18, 2016 Video

Nas, Fabolous & Talib Kweli Among 2016 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival Performers

2016's 12th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival will celebrate some of the great artists from and around the New York City borough. The July 16 concert (with other festivities beginning on July 13) will take place at the scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park. This year's headliners include Queens' Nas, as well as... Read more

April 5, 2016 News

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

February 6, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder Explains How J Dilla Changed The Sound of Hip-Hop and Fathered “Neo Soul” In The Process (Interview)

After the ascendance of greats like DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Q-Tip in the 90s. There was a new wave of producers that would come to prominence in the 2000s who would carry the torch for Hip-Hop and take it in new directions. This new generation of beatmakers included the... Read more

February 4, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Black Thought, Jay Electronica, & Bun B Added To 2016 J Dilla Weekend Lineup

There have been some major changes surrounding the 2016 J Dilla Weekend. The second annual event in Miami, Florida will take place February 5-7. The event, hosted by J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, features concert performances, art exhibits, panels, record swap meets, and more. The main venue for... Read more

January 25, 2016 News

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

January 5, 2016 Video

9th Wonder Protege GQ Delivers A Powerful Sidewalk Freestyle (Video)

Previously, Jamla Records artist GQ has made poignant poetry in natural elements. Less than one year ago, the Oakland, California basketball star-turned-MC appeared rapping alongside Locksmith in a Lyft. This time, under a Grand Avenue Oaktown movie-house marquee, GQ demonstrates a deft freestyle, with some powerful lines about race, mortality,... Read more

January 3, 2016 Video

Stream Murs & 9th Wonder’s Brighter Daze Album (Audio)

Just hours ago, it was announced that Murs & 9th Wonder's sixth album would release today (December 31). Heads can now dive right into Brighter Daze, the first in the duo's catalog, since 2012. Rapsody, Problem, Mac Miller, Bad Lucc are the guests among the Jamla Records LP's 12 tracks.... Read more

December 31, 2015 Audio

Murs & 9th Wonder Announce 6th Collaborative Album…Coming Today

In late 2012, Murs & 9th Wonder released The Final Adventure. The Jamla Records album was the fifth, and said to be final release from the pair—a Los Angeles, California MC and a North Carolina producer. The tandem's work stemmed back to early 2004, with the acclaimed Definitive Jux release,... Read more

December 31, 2015 News

9th Wonder Shows The Pure Joy In Making A Neck-Snapping Beat (Video)

9th Wonder is the latest to step up and take Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette challenge, where he is blindfolded, chooses 3 random records and asked to make a beat using them. He joins a long line of impressive producers who have participated in the series, including Large Professor, Organized Noize,... Read more

December 25, 2015 Video

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

December 22, 2015 News

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

December 21, 2015 Exclusive, News

Khrysis’ Rhythm Roulette Beats Are Soul Council Scorchers (Video)

Khrysis has been one of Hip-Hop's most consistent producers of the last decade. The Durham, North Carolina representative, and one-half of The Away Team, has put in critical production work on albums such as Little Brother's The Minstrel Show, KRS-One & Buckshot's Survival Skills, and Rapsody's The Idea Of Beautiful.... Read more

December 17, 2015 Video

Reflection Eternal’s Hi-Tek Joins 9th Wonder’s Soul Council

Cincinnati, Ohio's Hi-Tek has been a major player in some of the most influential Hip-Hop albums of the last 20 years. A onetime Rawkus Records artist, the producer/DJ worked extensively on Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, in addition to Common and Sadat X's "1-9-9-9," Big L's "Still... Read more

November 10, 2015 News

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

November 5, 2015 Video

Bad Lucc & DJ Rhettmatic Are An Unlikely Pair, But They Make One Bangin’ Tape (Mix)

On paper, Bad Lucc and DJ Rhettmatic may seem like they come from the opposite sides of Los Angeles, California's Hip-Hop. Lucc is a Diamond Lane Music Group flagship, and one of the veterans who first made noise care of Snoop Dogg's Dubb Union. Rhettmatic, is a Beat Junkies and... Read more

November 4, 2015 Mixes

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder’s Indie 500 Drives For A Star-Studded Win (Album Stream)

Last year, Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, and Pharaohe Monch announced that they were combining forces and resources to launch Indie 500, an independent label, marketing, and distribution conglomerate. Nearly a year to the date after the announcement, Indie 500 (the album) arrives. While it doesn't release until November 6, Heads... Read more

November 3, 2015 Audio

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

October 26, 2015 Audio

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Suggest There Is No Such Thing As An Innocent Bystander (Audio/Video)

Alexander Hamilton once said, "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." There is a lot to stand up for in the world around us—and there are some who still seemingly feel like it is not their place, their preference, or their politics to have an opinion. Talib Kweli, 9th... Read more

October 22, 2015 Audio, Video

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

October 15, 2015 Video

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

August 20, 2015 Audio

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

May 26, 2015 Video

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

May 20, 2015 Video

GQ & Locksmith Drive Rhymes From The Backseat Of A Lyft (Video)

In the latest installment of the increasingly popular "HipHopLyft" series, Bay Area MCs Locksmith and GQ (of Jamla Records) drop conscious gems in freestyle form as they are driven around the streets of San Francisco. The two spitters both represent Team BackPack, a musical conglomerate that is dedicated to connecting... Read more

April 25, 2015 Video

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

April 10, 2015 Video

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

April 7, 2015 Audio

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

April 7, 2015 Video

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

March 19, 2015 Video

Set The Winter To Music, With An Intricate Batch Of Khrysis Instrumentals (Mixtape)

For more than a decade, Khrysis got joints. Whether with the Away Team, Soul Council, or just showin' out with his Jamla squad, Khry' supplies beats that are big on nod factor. Highlights span Add-2 & Khrysis' "Death Of Chicago," Sean Price's "Onion Head," and Little Brother's "After The Party,"... Read more

January 20, 2015 Mixes

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

January 8, 2015 Fresh, Video

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

December 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh