Rapsody’s ten-track, Jamla Records-released Beauty and the Beast EP – with it’s premium on booming soundscapes and honest lyricism similar to Ms. Hill’s 90s era output – makes you feel as though the revolution is booming through your speakers.
A snippet from ‘97s GI Jane starring Demi Moore as an aspiring (and groundbreaking) female Navy Seal program trainee in which Moore’s character Jordan O’Neill tells her commanding officer to “suck my dick” sets the tone for the album. Allowing all of the combined, aggravated feelings of Lauryn, Lyte, and Latifah to rise to the surface.
Eric G., Khrysis, Nottz and Jamla label chief 9th Wonder handle production on the EP, with mixed results. Of the latter, Khrysis’ production on “Drama” feels like Eminem and Luis Resto’s co-production on “Moment of Clarity” in that the production’s bass-heavy and synth-friendly bassline is just as deep as Rapsody’s subject matter. However, the rhymer lacks Jay Z’s unique timbre, and the song just misses the mark.
9th Wonder’s production on “Godzilla” and “Hard to Choose” are crunching and agitated perfection, providing the perfect space for the rhymer to best make her point. Don’t misconstrue, she’s rapping for rapping’s sake here, but the bars are lively and clever. “Michael Jackson, I’m the new thriller / Super cold, get a chin-chilla / You don’t want it? / Well then get a sitta’ / Couldn’t get a ab even with a sit-up…” It could be seen as too long, but so much of this song features a stunning lyrical display, that, as a listener, you’re fine with it.
“Hard to Choose” is one of the EP’s jewels when she rhymes, “Look in my crowd, the minority’s never white,” stating her rappers-lament and blending the angst of being black and female with sultry production. “I appreciate y’all but I’m lyin’ if it don’t bite…” she continues, raps fading off into the sample’s innocent falsetto “so-so hard to choose.” She proceeds to get rough, here, though, questioning why the world favors one woman (Nicki or Iggy) emcee over another — wherein she hints strongly at overtly sexual lyrics and presentation — with wit. It’s intellectually stimulating material that honestly makes being a black, female rapper attempting to flourish without succumbing to the wants of the male gaze seem like the hardest task in the world.
“Forgive Me” ends the EP rousing upward instead of continuing the pacing of the previous tracks, before breaking down into a piano heavy time change. The BPM fluctuation that’s so in the rage these days allows her to add an extra layer, an earnestness to her flow that you simply don’t find on the other tracks. Sampling the first vocal off Moloko’s 2006 trip-hop/dance number “I Want You”, the Jamla version facelifts the gorgeous Roisin Murphy vocal into a twitty, bass laden mine field of Rapsody’s voice. “All my jams ain’t party hits,” cracks Rap’, “I’m thinking ‘bout moderation/ I’m thinkin’ ‘bout Mike Brown, what my nephew might have to face if/ I don’t talk about it.” Rapsody’s never scared to talk about it, but that’s only one part of what she does so well here.
What’s best about Beauty and the Beast is that it works flawlessly most times, showcasing a synergy that explodes throughout as the gifted emcee’s vocals tuck neatly within productions hand crafted to accentuate her strengths. Add in that, here, she’s so visibly annoyed, saddened, and morally outraged by the current state of affairs in her world, that she flows with a distinct purpose, allowing her own prodigious lyrical ability to shine through. Though, she doesn’t always hit a conceptual groove that pushes a narrative, and hesitates to change up her speaking voice to give context to her verse’s emotion at times. But she excels with a giant helping of her signature high-class lyrical ability over slathering, superlative production.
Slick album! Solid 4 or 4.5. This chic is spitting some bars!
BORING!!! Nice beats but Rapsody jus sucks! Her flow her delivery is wack. It has nothing 2 do with her looks or subject matter. It’s her! She needs 2 quit. I don’t care who cosigns her. Where’s Lady Luck? Sonja Blade, Jean Grae or Babs? Now them ladies got sex appeal & they can flow. Give anyone of those other females the same beats & they’ll murder the whole EP!
GTFOH. Period……
Hey Brian B-Mac Mcneil…You may wanna change up your posts if you want to stay anonymous…..You can’t post the SAME thing on facebook, with the SAME names…then come here and try to cover up. That’s weak.
Hahah Lady Luck really? If you truly think she’s more talented than Raps then you’re deaf.
1st of all… I’ve never signed up with DX so everything u post is gonna be “anonymous”. 2nd of all… I ain’t hiding or scared of what I said on FB! I said what I said & that was that! IDGAF who don’t it! I don’t like Rapsody! I think she’s boring! I’ll say it again & again if I want. Hot beats but I ain’t feelin how she rap! Now go & run tell that!
Rapsody is too nice. I disagree with the other post, I find her flow to b cool. I think if she works on dynamics of her voice it’d b over
EP is fantastic. Keep it going Rapsody!!!
Haven’t heard the album, but that Drama song (with the linked video) is absolute trash! GTFO with that being a single or promotion!! Can only hope it aint representative on the EP.
that shit is trash! NEXT!!!!!!!!!!
Special album
Queen of the game hands down
The production is sick.. Jamla the squad.
the producers are the only thing 2 get excited about when your talkin about Jamla. well… add-2 & gq is nice on the mic but the rest just straight wack
Incredible project! She gets better every year.
This EP is more like an album..insane lyrical flow to complement top tier production.
This ep is a paradigm shift.
Well crafted EP,Raps has definitely improved
Does not disappoint.
this is equivalent to turtle shit! trash production
you trash
Dope
why would i want to listen to some ugly fat rapping bitch. I’m going to look real cool listening to some fat ugly bitch rap with my friends. this girl can chock on my fat man meat of a ding a ling
you are an idiot and a disrespectful fuck
@glaffpig
YO MOTHER
s/o to this dude being cool
To me this EP shows so much more growth since “She Got Game” and that’s fairly new as well. As far as those saying the production is trash you know nothing. Sorry her EP wasn’t filled with the DJ Mustards, Young Chops, and etc trap beats or just straight up club/Turn up joints. Open ya minds to knowledge,grace and self respect. The hate is real on here damn.
most underrated female rapper
That’s the truth
Dope. Most underrated RAPPER, female or male.
Go girl
why the ratings not working?
DATS DAT SH*T
She makes J Cole look like DMX. I want to like her because she can rhyme and has good subject matter, but it’s a damn snoozefest
some of you lame ass people are pure trash we have opinions and some of these comments stink like your momma’s pussy she is fire and maybe you are boring
Ep is crazyyyyy
She is dope!
4.5 tho.
You stupid ass haters RAPSODY is one of the best female mcs on earth. All that stupid down south shit about getting high or about how much money i got.Rapsody makes music not bull shit.The idea of beautiful classic she and Jean
Hell yeah. She’s one of the best rappers currently let alone best female rapper.
Her flow is phenomenal
this ep is a classic. fuck you young dumb simple minded losers.
cold
SHES FUCKIN DOPE
IN THE WAY TO BECOME A LEGEND FEMALE MC.
nOIIIIIICIEEEEEEE
tons of comments but no votes, odd