Rapsody

Marlanna Evans, better known by her stage name Rapsody, is an American rapper from Snow Hill, North Carolina. Her second album, "Laila's Wisdom," received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. Her third studio album, "Eve," was released in 2019 to wide critical acclaim. Rapsody's music has made a significant impact on the charts, with her work appearing on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Starting her career at North Carolina State University, Rapsody joined the hip-hop collective H2O and its spinoff group Kooley High. The group met producer 9th Wonder in 2004, who was impressed by one of Rapsody's verses, leading to her recording debut on 9th Wonder's sophomore album, "The Dream Merchant Vol. 2," released on October 9, 2007. Recognized for her intricate rhyme patterns, metaphors, and wordplay, she has since collaborated with notable artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Jay-Z, and J. Cole.

In 2008, Rapsody launched her solo career after signing with 9th Wonder's It's A Wonderful World Music Group. Her mixtape "Return of the B-Girl," featuring guests such as Mac Miller and Big Daddy Kane, marked her first work with hip-hop producer DJ Premier and was released on December 7, 2010. Following the success of her mixtapes, her debut album "The Idea of Beautiful" was released in 2012, garnering further praise for her storytelling abilities and insightful lyrics.

Rapsody's music, marked by its socio-conscious and empowering lyrics, has often seen her recognized as one of the top artists in hip-hop. She signed with Jay-Z's record label, Roc Nation, in July 2016, further cementing her place in the industry. Her second album for the label, "Laila's Wisdom," was released on September 22, 2017, and featured on Kendrick Lamar's track "Complexion (A Zulu Love)" on his album "To Pimp a Butterfly." The album received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song.

Known for her feminist perspective in her music, Rapsody is an advocate for women's rights and has spoken about the importance of representation in the music industry. She continues to actively create music and collaborate with other artists, and in 2020 was featured on Stevie Wonder's song "Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate." Alongside her music career, Rapsody has made appearances on various TV shows, including "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," and the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.