Rapsody’s Eve: Respect Given, Respect Earned

With Eve, Rapsody celebrates a long tradition of powerful Black women while adding her name to the list.

Originally published in AphroChic magazine Issue 2, Winter 2019.

Maya Angelou once said, “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.” On her third album, Eve, Rapsody pays respect to Black women while demanding her own.

At its core, Eve is a love letter to Black women, each song titled after one of Rapsody’s heroes. Oprah is a triumphant anthem of success named after the billionaire entrepreneur. Tyra is a celebration of Black beauty, inspired by its namesake supermodel. “You looking at a winner, remember, I ain’t never had dough / But I walk like I got it, ‘cause my blood mixed with black gold / Misty Copeland ten toes dancin’ around the odds,” she raps. Ibtihaj shares its name with the American fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad, who became the first Muslim-American to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab.

Rapsody poured a lot of thought into the concept album, bringing her creativity to centerstage with care and precision. “I can’t be no bird in a cage,” goes the hook on the introspective Maya, inspired by Angelou’s classic, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She recruits D’Angelo and GZA for Ibtihaj, a remake of the Wu MC’s masterpiece, Liquid Swords. Check the wordplay on Whoopi, which nods back to the Sister Act star, Whoopi Goldberg (“You gon’ make a sister act up”). Album coda, Afeni, named after 2Pac’s mother, samples an acapella line from Keep Ya Head Up, uniting the former Black Panther with her son over a poignant 9th Wonder beat.

The titles are not gimmicky. They serve as a canvas for thoughtful and witty portraits of Black beauty, success and strength. Step aside from the song titles and you’ll find Rapsody winking at a longer list of esteemed women. She name-checks Lauryn Hill, Jemele Hill, Anna Mae, Angela Bassett and Shirley Murdock. And that’s just on the opening track, Nina.

Throughout Eve, Rapsody threads the lineage of Black women, drawing from womanhood as a source of strength, pride and intellect. Although these themes have always been present in Rapsody’s music, Eve brings it all together, making it her most compelling album yet. Rapsody stands in her truth, while showcasing her skill. “If you confuse my boxin’, with me being boxed in, it’s my native language, ain’t gotta say it in moccasins / Whatever I be rockin’ in, I speak the truth,” she proclaims on Maya. Her skill has never been in doubt, but she sounds much more relaxed and inspired on Eve. Her pen game is sharp on Cleo (Y’all banked on the wrong ones, wasted your energy / Lost more interest, got me laughin’ at my enemies”), playful on Aaliyah (“I’ma treat myself, let me get a supersize/As my cup runneth over, it’s fulfilling to me”) and self-assured on Whoopi (“Chicks don’t faze me, I’m just like ‘Yonce / I ain’t feelin’ you like I ain’t feelin’ new Kanye”).

The production on Eve is a treat. Steered by longtime collaborator 9th Wonder, Eve serves up a slice of nostalgia garnished with modern flourishes. It deftly samples the likes of Herbie Hancock (Whoopi), Phil Collins (Cleo) and Aaliyah’s mesmerizing vocals (Aaliyah). Much like the guest turns, the music complements Rapsody without competing for attention.

Eve is a statement album that cements Rapsody’s place as one of rap’s elites. By surrounding herself with an outstanding group of women, Rapsody inherently positions herself within the broad dynasty of Black womanhood. Respect given, respect taken. Maya Angelou would be proud.