She is the protΓ©gΓ© 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.
Iman
Rapsody Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woman, woman, woman
Beautiful woman
Yeah, can I flex?
Talk to my girls North, South, East to West
Talk about a skin tone, God knows you're blessed
Love how you work that, God knows you're dressed
Talk to my girls North, South, East to West
Talk about a skin tone, God knows you're blessed
Love how you work that, God knows you're dressed
Yeah, fine enough to cause a scene, cover a magazine
Boss chicks around the world somewhere countin' up the cream
The pilot idea, the original queen (yeah)
When you fly as this, you ain't gotta worry 'bout wings
Commercial, private jets don't compare to jets I read (they don't)
Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme (that's right)
The greatest, why in Africa they pay goats for queens (uh huh)
You know black don't crack, I still look in my teens (I do)
Hold up, my glow up, my bronzer, my shape (my shape)
He love me, my booty is big and it shake (it shake)
A mango in shape (yeah), he love me with weight
Every brown shade, braids, long hair, or fades (fine)
You fine mama (you fine), that's my mama (it is)
Could cover magazines, she's a ebony woman (ebony woman)
First lady I honored (uh huh), my Michelle Obama (uh huh)
I love to love you baby, that's a song by Donna (it is)
All my foxy ladies, we still the ill nana (we are)
All around the world from America to Ghana
Look, my nieces in the Audi had to make me one promise (uh huh)
Love yourself it's a cold world, I'm honest (for sure)
Count your riches (count it), don't rock with snitches (do not)
This for my sisters, my ebony sisters, like you
Dark skin and them brown eyes and that ooh
Hair laid and them nails did look at you
Shine before the sun rise, love so hard to come by
Sister, you been on my mind
Sister (sister)
Sister (sister)
Sister (sister)
Yeah, beauty is a mindset (it is)
Lookin' at my skin, I don't know the year or time yet (I don't)
My mama still look 24, she a fine chick (she do)
Black don't crack, my age trapped where your spine is (fasho)
Backwards, black been dope before the trappers (yup)
Down to the roots before Cicley was actin' (Uh-huh)
Black Twitter got me crackin', undefeated when we laughin' (that's right)
I look good in yellow (I do)
You intrigued with my fashion, every undertone of orange, brown, yellow is an accent (huh)
Yeah that's me, cocoa butter cream head ass (that's me)
Put it on my knees, elbows, and my fat ass (that's me)
Lookin' at my skin like I don't know the year, dead ass (I don't)
My country boys like "you finer than frog hair"
Thick like cold grits, niggas you could make your own collards
Gravy and cabbage (uh-huh)
Thinkin' of college (Uh-huh)
HBCUs, you'd think they only recruited models (they do)
Ebonies with two-three, 4B or 4C's (yeah)
Pink oil moisture or the blue-green, hair grease (uh)
Brothers hold us down like Spike do, Jolie (please)
Fine enough to be on the cover of any ebony mag
God knows we bad (we bad)
I just ask, 'You mad?' (ebony)
Dark skin and them brown eyes and that ooh
Hair laid and them nails did, look at you
Shine before the sun rise, love so hard to come by
Sister, you been on my mind
Sister (sister)
Sister (sister)
Sister (sister)
Sister (sister)
Sister
Go ahead and treat yourself better
You're worth much more, so much more
You better treat yourself better
You're worth much more
Uh, look
My cherie amor this door awaits for you and I valet for you
I'll fry, barbecue, and fillet for you
Brown shea butter baby
Why you so unavailable to the bullshit?
It's your world, I'm a tourist, I'm foolish though
I know that since the days they treated us like property for trade
It was times where they could come inside and take your soul away
But I'm here for your protection, like a servant
Like an agent or a secret service, some CIA shit
See I ain't okay with the way they tryna portray over the media
Alexandria, Egypt in Africa
Nefertiti was probably black as Roberta Flack back with the 'fro
Checkin' all my facts 'cause I be wrong but I'm passionate though (ebony)
When I go to Xvideos I'm always searchin' up the (ebony) amateur
Look at me bein' managed
I'm from Atlanta where ghetto ballerina exotic dancers be so talented
Get that cash and shawty set up an establishment (ebony)
You balancin', fuck it, you don't need no management
Behind every great man is a bad bitch, handlin' shit
Yeah
'Preciate your elegance JID, but bro, love, tell me, who the fuck you callin' a bitch?
(Ebony)
The song "Iman" by Rapsody featuring Sir and JID is a celebration of black women and their beauty. The song begins with a hook that repeats "Ebony, woman, woman, woman, beautiful woman." This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which sees the three rappers flexing about the beauty, strength, and resilience of black women.
Throughout the song, the rappers touch on themes of self-love, sisterhood, and empowerment. They discuss how black women are often underappreciated and disrespected, but despite this, they continue to shine and rise above adversity. They also talk about how the media often portrays black women in a negative light, but they refuse to let those stereotypes define them.
The second verse, performed by Sir, sees him proclaiming his love for a black woman and all the ways he will take care of her. He also acknowledges the dark history of slavery and how black women were treated as property, but he wants to make up for it by being her protector and support system.
Overall, "Iman" is a powerful and uplifting ode to black women. It encourages them to embrace their beauty and strength, love themselves, and support each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Ebony
A reference to the black woman who is the subject of the song
Woman, woman, woman
Emphasis on the beauty and strength of black women
Beautiful woman
Acknowledgment and recognition of the beauty of black women
Yeah, can I flex?
Asking for permission to boast about the beauty of black women
Yeah, beauty is a mindset (it is)
Beauty comes from within and is not solely based on physical appearance
You better treat yourself better
Empowerment and advice for black women to value themselves more highly
I'm from Atlanta where ghetto ballerina exotic dancers be so talented
Acknowledgment of the talent and strength of black women in the entertainment industry
Get that cash and shawty set up an establishment (ebony)
Advice for black women to use their talent and success to establish their own businesses
You balancin', fuck it, you don't need no management
Encouragement for black women to be independent and self-sufficient
Behind every great man is a bad bitch, handlin' shit
A play on the traditional saying that behind every great man is a great woman, reaffirming the strength and capability of black women
'Preciate your elegance JID, but bro, love, tell me, who the fuck you callin' a bitch? (Ebony)
A humorous response to JID's previous line and a reassertion of the strength and respect that black women deserve
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Patrick Douthit, Marlanna Evans, Darryl Farris, Destin Choice Route
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DeepmedZ
Rapsody killin it as usual! Jid next up and sir got a bright future. What a great refreshing song
Knomadic Stone
Okay I admit I slept on this song. Now I'm bugging out like I been sprayed with Raid. π₯π₯π₯
iLL Gates
Raps killed it like always, and JID got BUSY in his feature. My fav song from the album.
Cedric Sankara
Favorite song on the album. I love Raps and JIDs chemistry on this. They both did a great job
Officer Rod Farva
Waking up to new music from Rapsody & Missy?
That's a good morning.
I just wanna get a 1/4 & call in to work
Destini X Shakur
Jidenna just dropped too! Itβs such a great day!
D Mensah
Best track on the album. Embrace the melanin!!
Wolf Pack Longboarders South Africa
The original queen! Much love from South Africa
iSvnz _M
Mzansi in this Rap
Amandla Gqotso
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