Where do you start with a piece that’s so eloquently put together with vibrate instrumentals along with monstrous bars? Well, how about with the fact that Rapsody, has been doing this for years. I’ve been listening to Rapsody for quite some time now and have always been a fan of her style but on this project, she just snapped. Like literally she must’ve had a really enlightening conversation with someone because this EP is beyond awesome and the growth she’s displayed on this project is unmatchable.
Immediately, after pressing play to hear the first track, Crown, you get this wonderful poem recited to you, to prepare you for what’s to come throughout the entire album. It fills you with awareness, encouragement, motivation, and self-empowerment. This is noted by one of her first bars, “And every shade of our skin is rich. Knowing your future depends on our involvement.” There will even be times where you get goosebumps, want to cry, and or jump up and down, from just hearing some of the gems she shares in this work of art. Not to mention you can play this EP from the beginning to the very end and then repeat the whole process over again thanks to some of the beautiful instrumentals chosen for the project.
When it comes to the lyrical content there are plenty of bars to go around that will make you want to memorize them, write them down, and share them with your closest homies. You’ll find yourself adopting the mentality she’s sharing throughout the EP to carry yourself like a King or Queen, when dealing with obstacles in life. This is beautiful considering that so much of the hip-hop music that’s currently killing the radio waves are definitely not sharing the gems that Rapsody is expressing on this project. Also, you can expect to hear some hell fire hot bars and sounds from featured artists: Anderson .Paak, Ab-Soul, Raphael Saadiq, and Moonchild. All of the artists are very much appreciated for different reasons.
“Like Tip told Phife, Mos told Rap, Kobe told Ball, I’m a tell all ya’ll.” — Rapsody
The production on this project is second to none. There are tracks that’ll make you vibe out, get up and dance, and also feel like you can conquer anything. She’s enlisted many of the Jamla rockstars to lace her with some hot tracks including 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Eric G, Nottz, and more. Whenever you got a line up like that backing you with beats your music is going to sound excellent. Especially if you do your job and I can definitely say that Rapsody stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park on this EP, which is heavily appreciated since 9th Wonder and Nottz are on my Mount Rushmore of top producers.
The composition of this project is very impressive as well. There will be songs that roll into hidden tracks that are well thought out and mesh well with the entire vibe of the project. One instance where this happens is on the track, Take It Slow, which starts out with a beautiful track that sounds like something from an early Teddy Riley, project for the first 3+ minutes then it goes into a track that sounds like an authentic basement dance party full of smiles, cheers, and good times. This gives the EP an honest and human feel that’s well appreciated, so Rapsody if you’re reading, please do know that this was definitely appreciated and all of the work that went into making sure “The Vibe” was included on this track was not in vain. You’ll also find another track like this which I’ll let you discover that samples a clip from Martin Lawrence stand up special, You So Crazy.
“When I hit a million I’m a still buy fake gold.” — Rapsody
Overall, I love this project. The single, Crown, will be my alarm clock for the all of 2017, and I’ll definitely keep this EP in rotation as it continues to empower my mind and those around me. This is one of those steal projects, as in, I believe this could’ve been her album and I would purchase this project in CD format, Digital format, and Vinyl format. So Rap! C’mon stop playing and please put this on wax so I can add this to my record collection. Like seriously, 9th please make it happen. I need this! Haha now that I’m finished with that, I’ll leave you with this. Go and download this EP by clicking this link here. Also, be sure to hit me up and let me know how this album has been impactful to you. This is clearly champion music and I appreciate the fact that Rapsody put so much work into making sure this project was major! Oh yeah, and I’ll leave you guys with one of my favorite bars from the project.
“He got a goal to get drafted into the NBA, ya’ll got goals to all graduate with an MBA.” — Rapsody
Signing out. Doctor Stereo.
Download it fast and put it on repeat. You're welcome.
9Lyrics score 10
Production score 9
Composition score 9
When we speak on the current generation of emcees the conversation tends to revolve around J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, and Drake, for obvious reasons. But for someone who has been around for roughly as long as the previously mentioned, Rapsody is very much left out of the conversation of dopeness despite her ability to channel, but not imitate, the likes of both Jay Z and Lauryn Hill.