She is the protégé of Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder, the first lady of North Carolina super crew Kooley High, and one of the first artists signed to Jamla Records/It's A Wonderful World Music Group. As the brainchild of 9th Wonder's true school resurgence, Rapsody consistently sets the bar high for all emcees, male and female alike. Paying homage to her hip hop godmothers MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill, this Snow Hill, North Carolina native represents much more than just the female side of hip hop culture; she is an emcee who represents hip hop culture beyond the lines of gender, proving that anything the boys can do, she can do, too, and better. Her virtuosity and dexterity behind the microphone highlight her presentation, and her humble demeanor attests to her constant pursuit of improvement with every beat and rhyme.
After proving her impeccable craftsmanship with features on 9th Wonder's "Dream Merchant 2," Skyzoo's DJ-Drama hosted "The Power of Words," and numerous Kooley High releases, Rapsody made her solo debut on December 7, 2010 with "Return of the B-Girl," a 20-track project boasting production by 9th Wonder and DJ Premier among others, as well as features from Big Daddy Kane, Mac Miller, Skyzoo, Rah Digga, Phil Ade, and more. A published review praised the record: "A poet-turned-rapper, Rapdiddy (as she's dubbed herself) has always possessed outstanding wordplay, but B-Girl finds her effortlessly nimble delivery -- capable of both gritty and biting or sassy and sultry -- continuing to improve."
Rapsody has shared the stage with hip hop legends and rising stars alike, including Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, Big Daddy Kane, J. Cole, Wale, Colin Munroe, Tanya Morgan, Suede of Camp Lo, Blu and Exile, and The Clipse, but it's her ability to captivate diverse audiences with her explosively dynamic live performance that sets her apart and has earned her much-deserved accolades from major media sources including Vibe, XXL, HipHopDX, and more. She has captivated audiences at sold-out performances at dozens of venues on The Incredibly Dope Tour with Mac Miller and the Mic Fest Tour with 9th Wonder and her Jamla Records label mates. In her sophomore project "Thank H.E.R. Now," she weaves more intimate stories of her personal experiences and shares the studio and soundbooth with heavy hitters Jean Grae, MURS, Raekwon, Estelle, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Marsha Ambrosius, and more.
Her style is polished and distinct, and her wordplay and flow are unparalleled in both delivery and execution. As she continues to strive to contend with her hip hop predecessors like Jay-Z and Mos Def, Rapsody is already undeniably one of the strongest and most promising forces in today's hip hop culture.
Ibtihaj
Rapsody Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane before Pete rocked it on
Now on to the mental plane to spark the brain with the building to be born
Thinkin' like, back in the days when niggas wore fades
Silk tie caps, just tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Silk tie caps, just tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Been a long time coming (Been a long time coming)
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (Killa)
Birds and the Killa Bees (Killa Bees)
Been a long time coming (Been a long time coming)
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (Killa)
Birds and the Killa Bees (Killa Bees)
When the MCs came to live out their name
Inscribed in the halls and the walls of fame
Balancing life, wrote both the yin and yang
Hands buried the man and they raised the son to reign
That's a play on words, they say herb ain't all the same
Slaves in prison and they some unchained
While everybody in my gang a star DJ Preem
Screaming through the sun roof, "Money Still Ain't a Thing"
While I'm spending small bank, asking "Where is my change?"
Carpool with the homies, saving gas in my tank
I think like a billionaire, I spend less than I make
Strong minded, I should bench way more than my weight
Women been leading the way, since Roxanne Shante
And the Unit had Flava and Jay had Marcy neighbors that waved
Lookin' confused, I be like "Cool, maybe it's age"
When I see afro puffs, I think maybe it's Rage
Maybe it's staged, they trippin' and they say they got beef
Ain't an MC on this Earth that make me feel afraid
Wu-Tang is for the children, that's the scripture and phrase
See, my goals from a birds view, like Trey, under age
Now when the MC's came to live out the name and to perform
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane before Pete rocked it on
Now on to the mental plane to spark the brain with the building to be born
Now GZA on the track
When I'm so off the radar, it's very hard to find me
In space, a selfie with the Earth behind me
You follow the leader, the track is off the meter
A lot of rap is weak, low frequency in the tweeters
Very inaudible, clock radio speakers
Quietly whispering is a world of Wiki Leakers
Forget the gaudiness my method is nauseant
Transferring ideas into the brains of the audience
The street poet gave this special art form a global reach
I earned your ear and then your heart by giving the local speech
Weaving wonder with words as potent as a sorcery
Not witchcraft, but a list of terms in the glossary
Well written rap, bound to have a great impact
On a listener for the fact it's well intact
An MC should electrify, beautify, strive to
Empower, inspire, transform a world view
Back in the days when niggas wore fades
Silk tie caps, just tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Thinkin' like, back in the days when niggas wore fades
Silk tie caps, just tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave, thinkin' like
Been a long time coming (Been a long time coming)
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (Killa)
Birds and the Killa Bees (Killa Bees)
Been a long time coming (Been a long time coming)
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (Killa)
Birds and the Killa Bees (Killa Bees)
Now when the MCs came to live out the name and to perform
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane before Pete rocked it on
Now on to the mental plane to spark the brain with the building to be born
Now RZA flip the track
The song "Ibtihaj" by Rapsody, featuring D'Angelo and GZA, is a tribute to Ibtihaj Muhammad, the Olympic fencer who became the first Muslim woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in 2016. In the song's opening verse, Rapsody references the use of cocaine by some MCs to put on a wild show, while others, like Pete Rock, are able to connect with their audience by sparking their minds. The song then pays homage to the days when the "fade" haircut and silk tie caps were popular, and artists were trying to catch a wave in the music industry. The chorus repeats the phrase "been a long time coming" several times, speaking to the overdue recognition of Muhammad's achievements as a trailblazing athlete.
The second verse is delivered by GZA, who talks about his unique style and approach as an MC. He speaks about transferring ideas into the minds of his audience and inspiring them to see the world through a different lens. He emphasizes the importance of having a positive impact on listeners and using music as a tool for empowerment and transformation. Throughout the song, there are references to the Wu-Tang Clan and their philosophy of using music to inspire and educate.
Overall, "Ibtihaj" is a celebration of Muhammad's achievements and the ways in which she has broken down barriers in her sport and beyond. The song also pays homage to the pioneering spirit of hip hop culture and the power of music to inspire and uplift.
Line by Line Meaning
Now when the MCs came to live out the name and to perform
MCs arrived to fulfill their purpose and put on a show
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane before Pete rocked it on
Some MCs had to use drugs to put on a wild performance before Pete took the stage
Now on to the mental plane to spark the brain with the building to be born
Moving on to a higher level of thinking to create something new and inspiring
Thinkin' like, back in the days when niggas wore fades
Reflecting on the past when men wore fades
Silk tie caps, just tryna catch a wave
Wearing stylish silk caps, trying to stay on trend
Been a long time coming (Been a long time coming)
It's been a while since someone has made a big impact
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (Killa)
Since we've had a powerful and influential artist
Birds and the Killa Bees (Killa Bees)
Referring to the Wu-Tang Clan and their associated artists
Inscribed in the halls and the walls of fame
Recognized and remembered by future generations for their contributions
Balancing life, wrote both the yin and yang
Maintaining a balance in life and expressing both good and bad aspects
Hands buried the man and they raised the son to reign
Continuing the legacy and passing down knowledge to the next generation
Slaves in prison and they some unchained
People incarcerated and treated unfairly despite being free citizens
Wu-Tang is for the children, that's the scripture and phrase
The Wu-Tang Clan is meant to inspire and teach young people
When I'm so off the radar, it's very hard to find me
Being elusive and hard to locate when one is trying to stay out of the public eye
A lot of rap is weak, low frequency in the tweeters
Many modern rap songs lack substance and quality in their production
An MC should electrify, beautify, strive to
An MC should bring energy, artistry, and aim to improve and empower
Back in the days when niggas wore fades
Reflecting on the past when men wore fades
Now RZA flip the track
Asking RZA to change the instrumental track
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Eugene Archer, Patrick Douthit, Marlanna Evans, Gary Grice, Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tecknowledgist
2:46
When I'm so off the radar, it's very hard to find me
In space, take selfies with the Earth behind me
You follow the leader, the track is off the meter
A lot of rap is weak, low frequency in the tweeters
Very inaudible clock radio speakers
Quietly whispering is a world of Wiki Leakers
Forget the gaudiness, my method is nauseant
Transferring ideas into the brains of the audience
This street poet gave this special art-form a global reach
And earned your ears and your heart by giving them local speech
Weaving wonder with words as potent as a sorcery
Not witchcraft, but a list of terms in a glossary
Well-written rap bound to have a great impact
On the listener for the fact it's well intact
An MC should electrify, beautify, and strive to
Empower, inspire, transform a world view
@visas_marr
Oh my god GZA's verse was so powerful. "An MC should electrify, beautify, strive to empower, inspire, transform a world view."
@13thhouse23
POWERFUL!!!!
@13thhouse23
I cried as soon as he started rappin' 😢😢
@fitawrarifitness6842
That line....
@edecoteau9712
Yassss!!! My fav. verse ❤️🙌🏾
@Sp_Poboy
Facts
@grownmangamer942
GZA will be 80 years old and still have bars. Hes that dude.
@grownmangamer942
@Joshua Walker i said he WILL BE 80 and still have bars. As in the future. Years from now. lmao
@j.baldwin3012
@Joshua Walker He's always seemed like a laid back dude, and those are usually the people that tend to live longer. Actually, I think that whole 5% and metaphysical element of Wu Tang seems to make a lot of them move different. ODB was on some other s***, which made him entertaining, but also made it unlikely for him to live long.
@j.baldwin3012
@Joshua Walker You're saying ODB was trying to be like GZA?