Uljuljkana u srcu Snow Hilla, Rapsodyno putovanje je započelo, isklesano temeljnim principima njene blisko povezane zajednice. Prisećajući se godina formiranja svoje ličnosti, ona slika živopisnu sliku svog detinjstva kao „simfoniju životnih lekcija“, gde su svaki susret i anegdota doprineli njenom odrastanju.

Muzika, seća se, nije bila samo kulisa, već utočište i muza. Uronjena u duše Tine Turner i Luthera Vandrossa, i preneta bezvremenskim melodijama Michaela Jacksona i Lauryn Hill, Rapsody je otkrila duboku vezu koja će joj poslužiti kao zvezda vodilja.

Izranjajući u carstvo hip-hopa, Rapsody je ostala odlučna u svojoj autentičnosti. „Crpila sam iz svojih iskustava“, potvrđuje ona, „stvarajući tekstove koji su odjeknuli istinom“. Ova nepokolebljiva posvećenost autentičnosti gurala ju je napred, omogućavajući joj da istražuje dubine ljubavi, otpornosti i samootkrivanja sa svakim narednim albumom.

Sa njenim dugo očekivanim izdanjem, “Please Don’t Cry”, sa cenjenim umetnicima kao što su Erykah Badu, Phylicia Rashad, Alex Isley i drugi, Rapsodyjina introspekcija prožima njenu muziku. Svojim majstorskim lirizmom, ona poziva slušaoce da se udube u svoje emocije i pronađu otpornost u ranjivosti. Utemeljena na vrednostima svog vaspitanja, ona ostaje zvezda vodilja za ambiciozne umetnike, nudeći nadu i inspiraciju u svetu ispunjenom izazovima.

„Svakom notom koju pevam i svakom rečju koju napišem“, izjavljuje Rapsody, „odajem počast svojim korenima dok neustrašivo krojim svoj put. Razvijajući se, ali nepokolebljivo, ona ostaje čvrsta u svojoj posvećenosti svojoj istini, graciozno se kreće terenom hip-hopa koji se stalno menja sa poniznošću i gracioznošću.

Razmišljajući o svom detinjstvu, koliko mislite da je vaše vaspitanje oblikovalo vaš pogled na život i vaš pristup muzici?

Odrastala sam u Snow Hillu, malom gradu u istočnoj Severnoj Karolini, u velikoj porodici koja je praktikovala veru Jehovinih svedoka, volela zajednicu i bila/jesmo veoma časni i ponosni ljudi. Sećam se da sam u dobi od oko 4 do 8 godina ustajala subotom ujutru da očistim smeće sa puta koji je moja prabaka prihvatila u okviru inicijative Usvojiti autoput. To mi je usadilo da brinem o stvarima izvan sebe. Da je važno. Sećam se da sam svakodnevno slušala svog oca kako diskutuje o politici ove zemlje, slušao CNN, govoreći o svom užasavanju za Republikansku stranku, i bilo koga ili bilo šta što nastavlja da ugrožava napredak crnaca i naših zajednica. To me je naučilo o mojoj odgovornosti prema svom narodu. Tokom praznika koje nismo slavili, gledali smo Roots. Moj otac je veoma ponosan crnac i nikada ne dozvoljava da to zaboravimo. Naterao me je da nas duboko volim. Moja majka je tako darežljiva, nežno srce, ali nije za igru (smeh). Naučila me je da volim, ali nikome nije dozvolila da se igra sa mnom. Ja sam jedno od petoro dece, beba generacije, koja je pretposlednja; to me je naučilo poniznosti. Braća i sestre će vas poniziti i naučiti da nije sve u vama i o ravnoteži i stvaranju prostora. Moj brat i ja imamo 13 meseci razlike, irski blizanci, a ja sam dugo bila poslednja unuka devojčice, tako da sam odrastala sa dečacima koji su se igrali grubo i učili me da držim korak s njima. Mogla bih da nastavim još o tome, ali svako iskustvo mog odrastanja je razlog zašto pišem onako kako to radim; zašto mi je stalo da govorim o temama koje radim; i zašto se ne plašim da budem iskrena i da stojim sama van gomile kada treba; zašto volim zajednicu i zašto mogu da se takmičim sa bilo kim – posebno sa dečacima. Svaki deo svog vaspitanja nosim sa sobom kada stvaram.

Da li su u vašoj porodici ili zajednici postojali određeni pojedinci ili uticaji koji su zapalili vašu strast za hip-hopom i kreativnošću? Ako jeste, kako su vas inspirisali?

Niko u mojoj porodici nije muzički talentovan, ali su ljubitelji muzike. Moja majka bi imitirala umetnike kao što su Tina Turner i Patti Labelle dok je čistila subotom ujutru ili dok je kuvala. Moj tata je voleo da gleda Video Soul i imao je zvučnik prikovan za drvo napolju, provodeći žice od kuće kako bi mogao da sluša Luthera Vandrossa dok je kosio travu. Tu dobijam svoju ljubav prema soul muzici i produkciji koja doprinosi toj frekvenciji. Moje najstarije sestre su težile ka Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Maxwell & Toni Braxton. Moja druga braća i sestre su bili svestraniji u slušanju Nirvane, Linkin Parka i Celine Dionne. Dakle, povukla sam sa svih tih mesta. Međutim, Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z i Erykah Badu postali su moji favoriti tih godina. Kreativno, roditelji su nas uvek vodili u biblioteku, a knjige su nas podsticale da koristimo maštu, kao i filmovi. Tokom tih letnjih odmora od škole, pretplatili su se na knjige sa najzanimljivijim sadržajima za aktivnosti i zanatske knjige, a moj brat i ja smo voleli da crtamo. Dakle, ljubavlju prema umetnosti naučila sam da stvaram rečima, ali sam bila i vizionar. To su sve stvari iz kojih sam crpela inspiraciju kreativno.

Vaš lirizam i muzika vođena porukama su pokupili priznanje kritike. Kako održavate autentičnost u svojoj umetničkoj viziji, a istovremeno se krećete kroz pejzaž hip-hopa koji se stalno menja?

Mislim da kada stvarate muziku morate da se isključite iz pejzaža. Ne slušam previše nove muzike dok stvaram. Radim na stvaranju na osnovu onoga što osećam i stvari koje bih želela da podelim, i igram se kroz eksperimentisanje. Imamo izreku: „Muzika treba da bude najveći ego u prostoriji“. Dakle, ništa van muzike nema prostora za život dok stvaram. Nakon što je muzika gotova, tada shvatamo kako da je damo svetu. Međutim, stvari su se pomerile, ali je važno da proces stvaranja ostane svetinja.

Možete li da podelite neki uvid u umetnike ili muziku koja vas trenutno inspiriše?

Najviše me inspiriše raznolikost umetnosti koja se stvara. Tezzo Touchdown je prelep primer slobode kada je umetnost u pitanju. Nema ograničenja, samo osećanja. A ono što stvara je zaista dobar osećaj. Takođe sam inspirisana novom generacijom nadolazećih zvezda u nastajanju kao što su Niko Brim i Ruben Vincent. Podsećaju me na glad koju sam imala na početku karijere, i to me uzbuđuje i čini gladnom, i opasnom (namig). Takođe sam dosta radila sa kreativcima kao što su Andre Mego (producent iz McAllen,TX) i pevač Sebastian Mikael, koji su oboje fenomenalni. Bilo je zaista zabavno gledati ih kako imaju džem sesije i samo fristajl demo ideje!

Sa vašim dugo očekivanim novim albumom na kojem se pojavljuju Erykah Badu, Lil Vayne, Alex Yslei i drugi, sa kojim temama ili iskustvima slušaoci mogu da očekuju da se susreću, i šta se nadate da će odneti od projekta?

Nadam se da slušaoci vide sebe u muzici, na način na koji smo svi mi odražavamo jedni druge. Pod tim mislim, niko nije savršen i svi mi živimo ovaj život kroz niz iskustava – radosti, tuge, frustracije, razočaranja, ljubavi, radoznalosti, slomljenog srca, i što je najvažnije, isceljenja. Dakle, sve u svemu, život nije savršen, ali način na koji reagujemo na izazove stvara naše iskustvo. Ne plašite se da sedite u svojoj vatri. Jedini izlaz je prolaz, a ova strana je lepa.

Šta znači vaš četvrti studijski album pod nazivom „Please Don’t Cry“?

Naslov treba da bude ironičan. Koliko god da sam nekada bila užasan komunikator i skrivala svoje emocije, naučio sam da je zdravije osloniti se i osećati se. Na kraju krajeva, mi nismo roboti. Plačemo kada smo tužni; kada smo srećni; kada se previše smejemo; kada se plašimo; kada smo zaljubljeni, a spisak se nastavlja. Plakanje je najljudskija reakcija koju možete imati u životu.

Da li biste mogli da se zadubite u kreativni proces koji stoji iza vašeg predstojećeg albuma i da razgovarate o bilo kakvim značajnim razlikama ili evolucijama u poređenju sa vašim prethodnim radom?

Kreativni proces za ovaj album je bio tako uzbudljiv, zabavan, neugodan i izazovan. To je bilo moje omiljeno iskustvo u stvaranju albuma do sada! Obično pišem na taktove koji su isprani, ali ovog puta umesto bubnjeva ili reči semplova koji vode moj pravac, želela sam da stvorim emociju. Taj proces je započeo sa S1 (Simbolic One) u njegovom domu u Dalasu, Teksas. Pristupili smo [Please Don’t Cry]  iz niza ideja. Pregledala bih Pinterest fotografije i štampala slika koje su u meni izazivale emocije. Zakačili bismo ih na zid i pitali se: „Kako ova fotografija zvuči?“. Drugi put bih tražila jedan instrument, na primer, klavir, i pustila da me ta emocija vodi. A drugi put bismo stavili film, isključili ga i kreirali muziku za scenu kojom sam bila inspirisana. Najbolje smo se proveli u istraživanju i zauvek sam zahvalna S1, jednom od najboljih koji su to ikada uradili!

Šta biste savetovali novim umetnicima i reperima koje tek počinju svoj muzički put?

Najvažnije mesto za početak, po meni, jeste da sebi postavite ova pitanja: kakav tip umetnika biste želeli da budete; ko si ti; a sa kim razgovaraš? Mislim da ćete kada to definišete (i u redu je ako se usput promeni) biti više namerni u svom procesu. Zatim, označite kućice najuspešnijih kreativaca, radite na svom zanatu svaki dan; umrežavanje i stvaranje odličnih odnosa; izgraditi tim; koristite sve besplatne alate koje možete; investirajte u sebe; BUDITE AUTENTIČNI, i što je najvažnije, ZABAVITE SE!

Kako pristupate odabiru odevnih predmeta ujutru?

Imam prilično dobro pamćenje, pa pre nego što ustanem, procenjujem kako se osećam i onda mentalno skeniram svoj orman i sobu za cipele. Moja odeća obično pokazuje gde sam tog dana. Ako sam umorna ili se osećam opušteno, uvek tražim potpunu udobnost. Trenerka, ili prevelike pantalone i majice koje mogu stilizovati dodacima da dam malo ukusa. Odabir cipela za kompletiranje izgleda traje najduže jer uvek postoje dobre opcije. Drugih dana volim da dominiram. To može biti šešir koji želim da nosim tog dana, ili jakna, itd. Zatim, to je proces pokušaja različitih komada i slojeva kako bi se upotpunio statement komad. To je tako zabavan proces kada se sve spoji.

Kako vidite tekuću evoluciju odnosa između muzike i mode? Kako ste lično integrisali modu u svoj identitet i umetnički izraz kao muzičar?

Muzika i moda će nastaviti da se prepliću jer se radi o izražavanju. Tako se predstavljate pre nego što vas neko upozna. Možete naučiti mnogo o nekome iz njihove muzike i onoga što stavlja na sebe. Mi smo u dobu „vidim te pre nego što te čujem“. Nije kao u starim danima kada ste umetnike iskusili samo na radiju, ili u muzičkim spotovima i časopisima. Zbog društvenih medija, stalno viđate kreativce. Dakle, vaš modni identitet je jednako važan kao i priča koju pričate u svojoj muzici… to je ko ste. U ovoj eri života i kreativnosti, uzbuđena sam što koristim modu da pokažem raspon moje ličnosti i ljudskosti. Osećam da je moj pristup isti kao i moja muzika. Videćete spektar onoga što sam ja. Ponekad ću biti moderan dečak, nekoliko dana ću biti na štiklama, više prikovana, a drugim danima ću se zabavljati bojama, od odeće do boje usana. To je zaista kompliment mojim životnim iskustvima devojke koja je odrasla sa mnogo dečaka, devojci koja je želela da bude kao svoje starije sestre i L Boogie.

Na kraju, gde obožavaoci mogu da pronađu najnovija ažuriranja o vašim vestima, izdanjima i datumima turneje kako bi ostali povezani sa vašim putovanjem?

Označite www.iamrapsody.com, ili za ažuriranja u realnom vremenu pratite me na Instagramu @rapsody. Molim vas, nemojte stavljati „H“ u moje ime (smeh).

English here:

Cradled in the heart of Snow Hill, Rapsody’s journey commenced, carved by the bedrock principles of her close-knit community. Recollecting her formative years, she paints a vivid picture of her childhood as “a symphony of life lessons,” where every encounter and anecdote contributed to her growth.

Music, she reminisces, was not merely a backdrop but a sanctuary and muse. Immersed in the soulful strains of Tina Turner and Luther Vandross, and transported by the timeless melodies of Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill, Rapsody discovered a profound connection that would serve as her guiding light.

Emerging into the realm of hip-hop, Rapsody remained resolute in her authenticity. “I drew from my experiences,” she affirms, “crafting lyrics that resonated with truth.” This unwavering commitment to authenticity propelled her forward, enabling her to explore the depths of love, resilience, and self-discovery with each subsequent album.

With her highly anticipated release, “Please Don’t Cry,” featuring esteemed artists such as Erykah Badu, Phylicia Rashad, Alex Isley, and more, Rhapsody’s introspection permeates her music. Through her masterful lyricism, she invites listeners to delve into their emotions and find resilience in vulnerability. Grounded in the values of her upbringing, she remains a guiding light for aspiring artists, offering hope and inspiration in a world filled with challenges.

“With each note I sing and each word I pen,” Rapsody declares, “I pay homage to my roots while fearlessly carving out my own path.” Evolving yet unwavering, she remains firm in her dedication to her truth, gracefully navigating the ever-changing terrain of hip-hop with humility and grace.

Reflecting on your childhood, how do you believe your upbringing has shaped your perspective on life and your approach to music

I grew up in Snow Hill, a small town in eastern North Carolina, to a big family who practiced the Jehovah’s Witness faith, loved the community, and were/are very honorable & proud people.  I remember between the ages of around 4 to 8, getting up on Saturday mornings to clean trash off the road my great-grandmother adopted under the Adopt-A-Highway initiative. That instilled in me to care for the things outside of myself. That it mattered. I remember listening to my father rant about the politics of this country daily, tuned into CNN, speaking on his dismay for the Republican party, and anyone or anything that continues to threaten the advancement of Black people and our communities. That taught me about my responsibility to my people. During the holidays that we didn’t celebrate, we watched Roots. My father is a very proud Black man and never lets us forget it. He made me love us deeply. My mother is such a giver, a gentle heart, but not to be played with (laughs). She taught me to love, but never let anyone play with me. I’m one of five kids, the knee baby, which is next to last; that taught me humility. Siblings will humble you, and teach you it’s not all about you and about balance & making space.  My brother and I are 13 months apart, Irish twins, and I was the last girl grandchild for a long time, so I grew up with the boys playing rough and learning to keep up. I could go on even longer, but every experience of my upbringing is why I write the way I do; why I care to speak on the topics I do; and why I’m not afraid to be honest and stand alone outside of the crowd when I need to; why I love community, and why I can compete with anyone – especially the boys. I bring every part of my upbringing with me when I create.

Were there specific individuals or influences in your family or community who ignited your passion for hip-hop and creativity? If so, how did they inspire you?

No one in my family is musically inclined, but they are lovers of music. My mother would play artists like Tina Turner and Patti Labelle while cleaning on Saturday mornings, or while cooking. My dad loved watching Video Soul and had a speaker nailed to the tree outside, running wires from the house so he could listen to Luther Vandross while he cut grass. That’s where I get my love for soul music and production which lends to that frequency. My oldest sisters were running Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Maxwell & Toni Braxton into the ground. My other siblings were more versatile in listening to Nirvana, Linkin Park, and Celine Dionne.  So, I pulled from all of those places. However, Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, and Erykah Badu became my favorites in those years.  Creatively, my parents always took us to the library, and books encouraged us to use our imagination, as well as films. During those summers off from school, they would subscribe to the highlight books for activities, and craft books, and my brother & I loved to draw. So, with my love for art, I learned to create with words, but I was also a visionary.  Those are all the things I pulled inspiration from creatively. 

Your lyricism and message-driven music have garnered critical acclaim. How do you maintain authenticity in your artistic vision while also navigating the ever-changing landscape of hip-hop?

I think when creating music you have to unplug from the landscape. I don’t listen to too much new music while creating. I work on creating from how I feel and the things I’d like to share, and play through experimenting. We have a saying, “The music should be the biggest ego in the room”. So, nothing outside of the music has space to live while creating. After the music is done, that’s when we figure out how to give it to the world. However, things have shifted, but it’s important for the process of creating to remain sacred. 

Can you share some insight into the artists or music currently inspiring you?

I’m most inspired by the diversity of art being created. Tezzo Touchdown is a beautiful example of freedom when it comes to art. No boxes, just feelings. And what he is creating feels really good. I’m also inspired by the new generation of upcoming stars in the making like Niko Brim and Reuben Vincent. They remind me of the hunger I had at the beginning of my career, and that excites me and keeps me hungry, and dangerous (wink).  I’ve also been working a lot with creatives like Andrè Mego (a producer from McAllen, TX) and singer Sebastian Mikael, who are both phenomenal. Watching them have jam sessions and just freestyle demo ideas has been really fun! 

With your highly anticipated new album featuring appearances by Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Alex Isley, and more, what themes or experiences can listeners expect to encounter, and what do you hope they take away from the project?

I hope that listeners see themselves in the music, in the way that we are all reflections of each other. By that I mean, no one is perfect and we all live this life through an array of experiences – joy, sadness, frustration, disappointment, love, curiosity, heartbreak, and most importantly, healing. So, all in all, life isn’t perfect, but how we react to the challenges creates our experience. Don’t be afraid to sit in your fire. The only way out is through, and this side is beautiful. Asè. 

What is the meaning behind your 4th studio album titled ‘Please Don’t Cry’?

The title is meant to be ironic. As much as I used to be a terrible communicator and hide my emotions, I’ve learned it’s healthier to lean in and feel. After all, we aren’t robots. We cry when we’re sad; when we’re happy; when we laugh too hard; when we’re afraid; in love, and the list goes on. Crying is the most human reaction you can have in life. 

Could you delve into the creative process behind your upcoming album and discuss any notable differences or evolutions compared to your previous work?

The creative process for this album was so exciting, fun, uncomfortable, and challenging. It’s been my favorite experience in making an album so far! I normally write to beats that are flushed out, but this time instead of the drums or words of the sample guiding my direction, I wanted to create emotion.  That process started with S1 (Symbolyc One) at his home in Dallas, TX.  We approached [Please Don’t Cry]  from an assortment of ideas. I would peruse through Pinterest photos and prints of pictures that evoked emotion in me. We’d pin them to the wall and ask ourselves, “What does this photo sound like?”. Other times, I’d ask for one instrument, for example, a piano, and let that emotion guide me. And other times we’d put on a movie, mute it, and create music for a scene I was inspired by. We had the best time exploring and I’m forever grateful for S1, one of the best to ever do it!  

What advice would you offer to emerging artists and aspiring female rappers who are just beginning their musical journey?

The most important place to start, to me, is to ask yourself these questions: what type of artist you’d like to be; who are you; and who are you speaking to? I think once you define that (and it’s okay if it changes along the way) you’ll be more intentional in your process. Then, you check the boxes of most successful creatives, work on your craft every day; network and create great relationships; build a team; use all the free tools you can; invest in yourself; BE AUTHENTIC, and most importantly, HAVE FUN! 

How do you approach selecting outfits in the morning, and what influences shape your fashion choices, reflecting your personal style?

I have a pretty good memory, so before I even get up, I’m assessing how I feel and then mentally scanning my closet and shoe room. My outfits are usually an expression of where I’m at that day. If I’m tired or feeling laid back, I’m always going for complete comfort. A sweat suit, or oversized pants and tops that I can accessorize to give some flavor. Picking the shoe to complete the look takes the longest because there are always good options.  Other days, I love building on a statement piece. It can be a hat I want to wear that day, or a jacket, etc. Then, it’s a process from there of trying different pieces and layers to complete the statement piece.  It’s such a fun process when it all comes together.

How do you see the ongoing evolution of the relationship between music and fashion? How have you personally integrated fashion into your identity and artistic expression as a musician?

Music and fashion will continue to intertwine because they’re about expression. It’s how you introduce yourself before anyone gets to know you. You can learn a lot about someone from their music and what they put on. We are in the age of “I see you before I hear you”. It’s not like the days of old when you only experienced artists on the radio, or in music videos and magazines. Because of social media, you’re seeing creatives all the time. So, your fashion identity is just as important as the story you tell in your music… it’s who you are. In this era of life and creativity, I’m excited to use fashion to show the range of my personality and humanness. I feel like my approach is the same as my music. You’re going to see the spectrum of who I am. Sometimes I’ll be the stylish tomboy, some days I’ll be in heels, more fitted, and other days I’m having fun with color, from my clothes to lip color. It really compliments my life experiences of the girl who grew up with a lot of boys, to the girl who wanted to be like her older sisters and L Boogie, to the classy chick who admired her mom and aunt’s regal approach and pride to look your best. I’m the homegirl to everyone. 

Lastly, where can fans find the latest updates on your news, releases, and tour dates to stay connected with your journey?

Bookmark www.iamrapsody.com, or for real-time updates follow me on Instagram @rapsody. Please don’t put an “H” in my name (laughs).

Photographer/Retoucher: Shaun-Andru
Creative Director/ Stylist / Interview: Oliver Brown
PR/Production: The Forefront Group
Makeup Artist: Tia Morgan
Videographer: Seneca Williams
Hair: Adrianna Profit
Assistant Photographer: Maggie Overbaugh
Assistant Stylist: India Young
Assistant Stylist: Tonya Jones