As Rapsody inches closer to releasing her third studio album EVE, the North Carolina-bred MC has dropped a new visual for “Ibtihaj,” which was unveiled at New York City’s Times Square on Friday (August 2).
Produced by 9th Wonder, the track borrows from GZA’s “Liquid Swords” also features heavy hitters D’Angelo and Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA, the latter of whom appears in the video alongside Mary J. Blige and Roxanne Shanté.
According to the press release, the song’s title pays tribute to Ibtihaj Muhammad, a member of the United States national fencing team. In 2016, she became the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the Olympics. The lyrics revolve around having confidence in yourself and always being fearless.
The Grammy Award-nominated rapper spoke on the album in a press release.
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“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,” she said. “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.”
EVE is expected to arrive on August 23.
Watch the Misa Hylton-directed “Ibtihaj” video above.
