Although less than two years have elapsed since Rapsody unleashed her breakthrough album Laila’s Wisdom (2017), the eloquent, North Carolina bred emcee has announced that her third studio affair entitled Eve will make landfall later this month on August 23rd. Destined to be one of the most notable hip-hop albums of 2019, Eve is preceded by the sterling lead single “Ibtihaj,” a reverential nod to Ibtihaj Muhammad, the US national team fencer who became the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing during the 2016 Olympic games.
“Ibtihaj” features the iconic soulman D’Angelo blessing the chorus and the lyrical legend GZA dropping yet another superior verse over the same arrangement first heard on the title track of his classic LP Liquid Swords. The video pays homage to the Muslim women that call New York City home and includes cameo appearances by GZA, Mary J. Blige and Roxanne Shanté.
“The stories behind the songs on Eve are inspiring, and I wanted to do my part in celebrating these women in the best way I know how,” Rapsody explains in an official statement. “I want to not only help tell these stories but help further each woman’s legacy and spark curiosity in people to learn more about them.”
“Ibtihaj” translates to “happiness” or “joy” in English, and the forthcoming arrival of Rapsody’s new album has all the makings of a joyous occasion indeed.
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