Rapsody facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rapsody
Rapsody performing in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Marlanna Evans
Also known as	Rapdiddy
Born	(1983-01-21) January 21, 1983 (age 42) Snow Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter
Years active	2007–present
Labels	It's a Wonderful World Music Group Roc Nation
Associated acts	Mac Miller Talib Kweli

Marlanna Evans (born January 21, 1983), known as Rapsody, is an American rapper. She signed with music producer 9th Wonder's label, It's a Wonderful World Music Group. She released many mixtapes and worked with famous artists like Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli.

Rapsody released her first album, The Idea of Beautiful, in 2012. She became even more well-known in 2015. This happened when she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's album To ... a Butterfly, on the song "Complexion (A Zulu Love)".

Her second album, Laila's Wisdom (2017), was highly praised. It was even nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. Rapsody released her third album, Eve, on August 23, 2019. Music critics also loved this album. In 2020, she was featured on the Stevie Wonder song "Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate". Other artists on the song included Cordae, Chika, and Busta Rhymes. Rapsody's fourth album, Please Don't Cry, came out on May 17, 2024.

Rapsody's Music Journey

Rapsody started her music journey at North Carolina State University. She joined a hip hop group called H2O and then Kooley High. She had never rapped before joining these groups. In 2004, the group met producer 9th Wonder. He was very impressed by Rapsody's rapping.

She made her first recording on 9th Wonder's album, The Dream Merchant Vol. 2, in 2007. She showed off her freestyle skills on this album.

Starting a Solo Career

Rapsody began her solo career in 2008. She signed with 9th Wonder's It's A Wonderful World Music Group. Her first big step was releasing her mixtape Return of the B-Girl in 2010. This mixtape was her first time working with hip-hop producer DJ Premier. It also featured guests like Mac Miller and Big Daddy Kane.

She gained more fame with her next mixtape, Thank H.E.R. Now. This project showed her amazing storytelling skills. She shared stories from her own life. She worked with many respected artists on this mixtape. These included Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, and Raekwon.

Her next project, For Everything, came out in 2011. It featured both new and well-known artists like Kendrick Lamar and Freeway. Many songs from this project were featured in XXL magazine. In late 2011, she toured with Phonte and 9th Wonder.

Signing with Roc Nation and Grammy Nominations

Rapsody signed with Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation in July 2016. Her first album with this label was Laila's Wisdom, released in 2017. This album was a huge success. It received two Grammy Award nominations. These were for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song.

Rapsody's third album, Eve, was released in 2019. It also received great reviews from music critics. In June 2024, her song "Asteroids" was nominated for a Hollywood Independent Music Award.

Rapsody's Style and Beliefs

Rapsody is known for her complex rhyme patterns and clever wordplay. She uses metaphors, which are like comparisons, to make her lyrics interesting. She looks up to Jay-Z, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, and MC Lyte. These artists have greatly influenced her music.

Her music is mostly produced by The Soul Council. This is a team of producers at It's A Wonderful World Music Group. Rapsody's main belief is "Culture Over Everything." This means the culture of hip-hop music is most important to her.

She explained this idea in an interview. She said, "To me, it’s about culture more so than money or anything. I make music for the people of the culture we’re in; that comes first. If you touch the people first, the rest just falls into place. That’s what it means to me, just preserving and respecting the culture."

Rapsody's Life Outside Music

When Rapsody was younger, she watched the MTV show Yo! MTV Raps. She saw MC Lyte on the show and was inspired by her. Later, she said Lauryn Hill was her all-time favorite artist.

She grew up in a small town called Snow Hill in North Carolina. She didn't hear much hip hop music there. She would listen to what her older cousins played in the car. She truly fell in love with hip hop when she went to college.

Her 2017 album Laila's Wisdom was named after her grandmother, Laila Ray.

In 2019, Rapsody played in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. This game was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her team was made up of celebrities from the Carolina area. Her team won the game, and she had one assist while playing for about 12 minutes.

Rapsody's Music Releases

Studio Albums

Extended Plays (EPs)

• The Black Mamba (2012)
• Beauty and the Beast (2014)
• Crown (2016)

with Kooley High

• Kooley High Presents... Raleigh's Finest (Mixtape) (2007)
• The Summer Sessions EP (2008)
• Eastern Standard Time (2010)
• Kooley High Presents...David Thompson (2011)

Mixtapes

• Return of the B-Girl (2010)
• Thank H.E.R. Now (2011)
• For Everything (2011)
• She Got Game (2013)

Other sources

Kooley High Presents... Raleigh's Finest Mixtape by Kooley High, HaLo, Median, Lazurus, Rsonist, Nervous Reck Hosted by DJ ill digitz, 9th Wonder, Big Treal, The Alchemist, Marco Polo, Monie Love