Interview with N.C. Hip-Hop artist: Rapsody - Part 2 - Raleigh Hip-Hop Music

Rapsody - Return of the B-Girl/ Courtesy of Jamla Records

Rapsody Interview Cont'd - Part 2

LS: You’ve mentioned 9^th Wonder a few times and I know that you’re currently signed to Jamla Records. Actually, you’re the first artist signed to Jamla Records, correct?

Rapsody: I don’t know how correct that is. I remember when I went to see him (9^th Wonder) and we had our first meeting to discuss joining the label, I remember him telling me that he already had two artist signed. So I think I was third.

LS: How is it working with 9^th Wonder and the record label?

Rapsody: Oh man, it’s a dream come true. Just like Kooley High, they’re my family too. They’re all my big brothers. And 9^th is so humble, he’s a very humble dude. He’s real patient with you and his passion other than music is teaching. He works with you. It’s just a fun learning experience, we laugh. But the foundation of everything is to make good music. He doesn’t try to make you anything other than what you are. 9^th helps you as an artist and the business aspect. But he’s a good friend to have and a great mentor. I don’t see myself wanting to be anywhere else than Jamla.

Courtesy of Jamla Records

LS: Speaking about hip-hop in general, hip-hop is going on a little bit over 30 years in existence. And women in hip-hop have been around for about 25 years; if you go back to Roxanne Shante. What do you feel about the role of women in hip-hop today?

Rapsody: I think it's missing a lot of balance. That’s my best argument. Growing up, you had Lil Kims, Foxy Browns, MC Lytes, Queen Latifahs, Lauryn Hills, The Lady of Rage; so many female artist that were doing different things. You had a choice in what you wanted to listen too. It feels like today when you speak about hip-hop artists, mainstream-wise, you either have the super sexy or you have to be kinda half-way naked . You have really hard, thugged out, gangsta females, but that doesn’t always represent the majority of females. So my biggest beef is today there is no balance. I mean, that’s kinda general with music, there’s not a lot of balance. I’m trying to bring another side; me being an artist, and a female artist especially for these little girls to have someone to look up to. Kinda like what I did when I found Lauryn Hill or Queen Latifah. I feel it just needs more balance

Courtesy of Jamla Records

LS: So do you feel the music you produce and the image you portray should have a certain level of responsibility attached to it?

Rapsody: I do, per se. One, you should make good music; whether you want to be half-naked or whatever. But at the same time, I just feel like these girls need a choice. Like their parents should be able to have a choice over what they can listen to. That (being half-naked) shouldn't be all that they see. People ought to be creative as they want to be. If you want to be half-naked and show your chest off, that's fine. That's your freedom of expression. But at the same time, there should be somebody else that shows a different side. So you kinda have a choice. That's kinda my biggest thing. But with me, I want to be responsible and a role model to children, because to me personally, its important. I know it helped me growing up. Just to show some respect for myself and to show that you can be sexy, but you don't have to be naked to be sexy. There's different parts to being sexy as a female.

Courtesy of Jamla Records

LS: Who are some of the artist that inspired you to get into hip-hop? And who are some of the artist that inspire you in hip-hop?

Rapsody: Growing up I was a big Lauryn Hill; Fugees fan. Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Nas, Biggie, umm... A Tribe Called Quest. And still today, Jay-Z is number one for me. He didn't need a label's help. He went and created his own label, made his own name, and did his own thing. He's 40 years old, has longevity in the game and multiple classic albums in hip-hop. He beat Elvis for singles. He found his lane, stayed in his lane and built his own empire. So I respect his business mind and creative style. So Jay is number one. Michael Jackson, of course... (sigh), I could go on and on... Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige; I respect those artists a lot.

Courtesy of Jamla Records

LS: Your newest project, “Prelude to the Return of the B-Girl;” is that still in the works or is that project finished right now?

Rapsody: Prelude to the Return of the B-Girl was originally going to be a mixtape. But we were getting a feature list together and it was taking a little bit long. So what we decided to put out an EP and we’ll call it, “Return of the B-Girl.” It should be out within the next couple of months, around April or May. A lot of production by 9^th Wonder and some by E. Jones. I have probably like 40 songs that I can choose from and I might record maybe 10 more. Then we’re going to take like 8 or 10 songs and put that out. That should be out soon. After that, there will probably be a mixtape, a couple more EPs and then an album.

LS: So is this a solo project for you?

Rapsody: Yes, this is my first solo project.

LS: What kinda vibe/What can we expect from this album?

Rapsody: I have so many songs. We haven’t really decided the tone of it. But for the most part it’s going to be fun. There’s a little storytelling. Some songs are directed toward females; subjects they can relate and listen to. It’s going to have a mixture of MC Lyte and Lauryn Hill vibe. That’s kind of the feel to it. I hope ya’ll like it.

Upcoming Performance:

March 18: "Its A Wonderful World Music - Jamla/Academy" showcase on March 18th at The Brewery at 3009 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh NC. Time: 8pm - 1pm.

Upcoming Releases:

9th Wonder Presents: "The Wonder Years"
Coming Soon!

Kooley High: "The High Life"
Coming Soon!

Kooley High - Mixtape: "Eastern Standard Time"
Coming Soon!

Fan Pages:

Rapsody's Facebook and MySpace Page