Noname released her debut mixtape, Telefone, on July 31, 2016. Her debut album, Room 25, was released on September 14, 2018. She is member of the trio Ghetto Sage, with Smino and Saba.
Noname's interest in poetry led her to compete in local open mics and slam poetry competitions; she placed third place in Chicago's annual Louder Than a Bomb competition. Noname then started to freestyle rap with friends, collaborating with local Chicago artists including Chance the Rapper, Saba, Mick Jenkins, and Ramaj Eroc.
In 2013, she appeared on Chance the Rapper's second mixtape, Acid Rap, contributing a verse to the track "Lost" where she sang the chorus to the song as well as her own verse. She later contributed a verse for the song "Finish Line/Drown" from Chance the Rapper's 2016 mixtape Coloring Book. In December 2016, she appeared with Chance the Rapper on Saturday Night Live. She announced her first tour on November 13, 2016.
In 2014, she was featured on Mick Jenkins' mixtape The Waters, contributing to the track "Comfortable". In 2015, she was featured on multiple tracks from Kirk Knight's album Late Knight Special.
Noname first used the stage name "Noname Gypsy", which she chose as a teenager when she was transitioning from poetry to music, believing "gypsies were very nomadic, just not about staying in one space for a long time". In March 2016, she removed "Gypsy" from her stage name after learning of its racial connotation, saying she was unaware of the negative connotations of the term "gypsy" and did not want to offend Romani people. In a 2016 interview with The Fader, she explained her current stage name, following the change:
"I try to exist without binding myself to labels. I’m not really into labels at all, even the way I dress; I usually don't wear anything with a name brand. For me, not having a name expands my creativity. I’m able to do anything. Noname could potentially be a nurse, Noname could be a screenwriter. I’m not limited to any one category of art or other existence, on a more existential level."
Noname released her first mixtape, Telefone, on July 31, 2016, after three years production. Telefone was Noname's method of publicizing her new stage name, through songs presented as open-ended telephone conversations. The album is centered around important telephone conversations that Noname has had. Her rap speaks of black women's pain and also highlights the struggles of growing up in Chicago. The album was originally released as a free download on Bandcamp, and then on vinyl in September 2017.
Rolling Stone wrote it was one of 2016's "most thought-provoking hip-hop." Stereogum wrote that Noname possessed "a potency and urgency in her complicated, spoken word-esque cadences and subdued delivery that escapes many of her more animated peers." Consequence of Sound wrote that "the louder her music is played, the brighter her cadence glows, giving her lyrics a type of 3D craft that makes Telefone a diary of lessons too relevant to keep to yourself."
In October 2016, Noname and fellow Chicago resident Saba collaborated to produce "Church/Liquor Store", a song that explores the Westside of Chicago where liquor stores sit directly next to places of worship. Noname critiques the gentrification of the neighborhood and the erasure of crime believed to accompany it.
In August 2018, Noname announced that her second album, Room 25, would be released in the fall of 2018. The album, which took approximately one month to record, chronicles the two years since the release of Telefone, during which she moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, and had a short romantic relationship.
Noname compared her maturity on Room 25 to Telefone, saying "Telefone was a very PG record because I was very PG. I just hadn't had sex." Unlike Telefone, Room 25 was created due to a financial obligation. Noname said in an interview, "It came to a point where it was, like, I needed to make an album because I need to pay my rent. I could've done another Telefone tour, but I can't play those songs anymore. Like, I could, but I physically hate it because I've just been playing them for so long." Noname paid for the entire album herself using money from touring and guest appearances on Chance the Rapper projects.
The album was released on September 14, 2018. El Hunt of NME described the album as "flawless" and "smartly constructed and laced with intricate subtlety." Rolling Stone said Noname was "One of the best rappers alive" and included her on a list of "Artists You Need to Know". Pitchfork designated Room 25 as "Best New Music" and wrote that it is "a transcendent coming-of-age tale built around cosmic jazz and neo-soul, delivered by a woman deeply invested in her interiority and that of the world around her." PopMatters said the album was "vintage neo-soul and future rap hand in hand; a soulful sanctuary for those turned off by the austerity of mainstream mumble rap". She performed a three-song medley of "Blaxploitation," "Prayer Song," and "Don't Forget About Me" from the album in her solo television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on October 17, 2018.
On May 15, 2019, Noname announced that her upcoming second studio album would be titled Factory Baby. In November of that year that she said she was quitting music, and expressed frustration with her predominantly white audience. She went on to say that the demographics of her fanbase made her want to quit music: "I refuse to keep making music and putting it online for free for people who won’t support me. If y'all don't wanna leave the crib I feel it. I don't want to dance on a stage for white people."
Diddy Bop
NoName Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
This sound like Mississippi sippy cup, daddy turn bibby up
Henny invented the catalyst for happiness in my cup
This sound like kiddies on the playground when mama was running up
Ooh, you about to get your ass beat
B2K in the stereo, we juke in the back seat
Or juke in the basement, in love with my KSWISS's
This feel like jumping in a pool and I'm knowing I can't swim
Ooh, you about to get your ass beat
For stealing that twenty dollars like "baby, just ask me"
Mama say she love, love, loved us
When the lights was off we had to stay with cousins
Granny at the BBQ with petty ass husband
Summertime, city life, Chi-town, my town, my town
After school matters like I'm needing that stipend right now
Kennicott parking lot got caught with the blunt like "wow wow"
Run, run, run, mama say come home before the streetlights do
Ice cream on my front porch in my new FUBU and my A1's too
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
This sound like growing out my clothes
With stars in my pocket, dreaming bout making my hood glow
This sound like every place I would go, if I could fly
This feel like every summertime
Fall asleep dreaming bout all the places I could go
And every one of them feels so close, still chasing time
And I am not a star
I am a meteor on a crash course towards Earth across the cosmos
Versus Perseus to the father
Of his birth to tell the truth, that I'm his real son
Get blocked, I'ma build one
Get blocked, I'ma build two
Hope that you see it's a staircase
Still pray for a fair day where they give a fair race to the marinade
And the dogons and the eses and the fair faced
Keith Ape tryna pill paint
Rainbows with a pink blue and a sea foam type of green hue
Make a clear space
Stop overreacting, it's past my curfew I'm out after 6
Happily making my accident
Mama gon' whoop on my ass again
Pray that I'm making my way before 8 and I might have to sneak in the back again
Hope that Memorial traffickin'
Hope that she stopping for gas again
Girl I just want to relax again
Pray you gon' bring that shit back again
Pray you gon' bring that shit back again
I know
Run, run, run, mama say come home before the streetlights do
Ice cream on my front porch in my new FUBU and my A1's too
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
This sound like growing out my clothes
With stars in my pocket, dreaming bout making my hood grow
This sound like every place I would go, if I could fly
This feel like every summertime
Fall asleep dreaming bout all the places I could go
And every one of them feels so close, still chasing time
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
Watching my happy, watching my happy ooh ooh
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
NoName’s “Diddy Bop” is a nostalgic reflection of summers spent in her hometown of Chicago. The repetition of “I’m ready” serves as a mantra, embodying anticipation and excitement. NoName’s vibrant lyrics paint a picture of the sights and sounds of her childhood, bringing listeners along on her journey. She reminisces on simpler times, like playing on the playground and dancing to B2K, but also acknowledges the hardships her family faced, such as staying with cousins when they couldn’t afford to keep the lights on.
The hook, “Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop,” refers to a dance move that was popular in Chicago during NoName’s youth. “The diddy bop,” also known as “the bop,” involves leaning back and forth while sliding one foot in front of the other. The dance was a representation of the joy and camaraderie felt among NoName’s community during summer months.
Through her lyrics, NoName grapples with the complexities of growing up and moving on, expressing a desire to escape the limitations of her upbringing while still cherishing the memories of her past. “Diddy Bop” is a beautiful tribute to Chicago and the community that shaped NoName’s life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready
I am prepared for whatever lies ahead.
This sound like Mississippi sippy cup, daddy turn bibby up
This sounds like a good time with alcohol and friends.
Henny invented the catalyst for happiness in my cup
Hennessy is what makes me happy.
This sound like kiddies on the playground when mama was running up
This sounds like a warning before someone gets in trouble.
Ooh, you about to get your ass beat
You are in trouble and about to be punished.
This sound like niggas complaining when their bitches like Raz-B
This sounds like people complaining about things they cannot change.
B2K in the stereo, we juke in the back seat
We are jamming to B2K and dancing in the car.
Or juke in the basement, in love with my KSWISS's
We dance in the basement and I love my KSWISS shoes.
This feel like jumping in a pool and I'm knowing I can't swim
This feels like taking a risk even though you know the consequences.
For stealing that twenty dollars like "baby, just ask me"
You stole money and could have just asked for it.
Mama say she love, love, loved us
Mom loves us very much.
When the lights was off we had to stay with cousins
When the electricity was off, we stayed with our relatives.
Granny at the BBQ with petty ass husband
Grandma is at the BBQ with her annoying spouse.
Summertime, city life, Chi-town, my town, my town
It is summer in the city and I love my town, Chicago.
After school matters like I'm needing that stipend right now
I need the money from my after-school program immediately.
Kennicott parking lot got caught with the blunt like "wow wow"
We got caught with marijuana in the Kennicott parking lot and were surprised.
Run, run, run, mama say come home before the streetlights do
Mom says to come home before it gets dark outside.
Ice cream on my front porch in my new FUBU and my A1's too
I am enjoying ice cream on my porch wearing my new FUBU clothes and A1 sneakers.
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
I am watching my neighborhood dance the diddy bop.
This sound like growing out my clothes
This sounds like wearing clothes that no longer fit.
With stars in my pocket, dreaming bout making my hood glow
I am dreaming of improving my neighborhood and making it shine.
This sound like every place I would go, if I could fly
This sounds like traveling to new places if I could fly.
This feel like every summertime
This feels like every summer.
Fall asleep dreaming bout all the places I could go
I fall asleep dreaming of all the places I could visit.
And every one of them feels so close, still chasing time
All these places feel close and achievable, but time is a barrier.
And I am not a star
I am not famous or a celebrity.
I am a meteor on a crash course towards Earth across the cosmos
I am like a meteor hurtling towards Earth across the universe.
Versus Perseus to the father
Like Perseus against his father, I am fighting for what is right.
Of his birth to tell the truth, that I'm his real son
To tell the truth, I am his real son.
Get blocked, I'ma build one
If someone is blocking my path, I will build a way around them.
Hope that you see it's a staircase
I hope you can see the steps I am taking toward my goals.
Still pray for a fair day where they give a fair race to the marinade
I am still hoping for equality and fairness for marginalized groups.
And the dogons and the eses and the fair faced
I am referring to groups of people that are often excluded or discriminated against.
Keith Ape tryna pill paint
Keith Ape is trying to create something new and original.
Rainbows with a pink blue and a sea foam type of green hue
I am describing the colors of the rainbow.
Make a clear space
Create a space for something new and fresh.
Stop overreacting, it's past my curfew I'm out after 6
Stop being overprotective, I am out past my curfew at 6 PM.
Happily making my accident
I am making my own choices and mistakes.
Mama gon' whoop on my ass again
Mama will punish me again for my mistakes.
Pray that I'm making my way before 8 and I might have to sneak in the back again
I hope to make it home before 8 PM and may have to sneak in the back door.
Hope that Memorial traffickin'
I hope to make it home before Memorial Day traffic gets too bad.
Hope that she stopping for gas again
I hope she will stop for gas again.
Girl I just want to relax again
I just want to relax and unwind.
Pray you gon' bring that shit back again
I hope you will bring back the good times we used to have.
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
I am watching my neighbors dance.
Watching my happy, watching my happy ooh ooh
I am watching my happy neighborhood.
Watching my happy block my whole neighborhood hit the diddy bop
I am watching my neighbors dance.
This sound like growing out my clothes
This sounds like wearing clothes that no longer fit.
With stars in my pocket, dreaming bout making my hood grow
I am dreaming of improving my neighborhood and making it shine.
This sound like every place I would go, if I could fly
This sounds like traveling to new places if I could fly.
This feel like every summertime
This feels like every summer.
Fall asleep dreaming bout all the places I could go
I fall asleep dreaming of all the places I could visit.
And every one of them feels so close, still chasing time
All these places feel close and achievable, but time is a barrier.
Lyrics © JL PUBLISHING GROUP, INC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Cameron Duane Osteen, Fatimah Warner, Michael Neil, Raury Deshawn Tullis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind