3X Grammy-nominated recording artist Rapsody continues the campaign for her fourth studio album with an emotion-tinged new single titled “Stand Tall.” The prodigiously gifted rapper keeps her hot streak rolling into 2024 with a music video featuring her close friend and acclaimed actress Sanaa Lathan.
The video made its broadcast premiere on BET Jams, BET Soul and the Paramount+ Times Square billboards.
“Stand Tall” is the second taste of new music from Rapsody’s highly-anticipated album, Please Don’t Cry, which is set to release on all streaming platforms on May 17th via We Each Other / Jamla Records / Roc Nation Records. The record is a rich tapestry of emotions that addresses gossip with dignity, honor, and authenticity. As a mirror to reality, Rap clears up rumors about her sexual preferences and shines a light on her anxiety triggers, preparing to pull back the curtain on who Marlanna Evans is.
“‘Stand Tall’ is the first song I recorded when I started working on this album in 2020,” Rapsody says. “I would say it represents my desire to speak to my humanness in the most free way. It started me on the journey, and it required me to be fearless, which is why I titled it ‘Stand Tall’ – be firm in who you are, legs straight, shoulder back, chest out. And, Sanaa [Lathan] was one of my guides and supporters on that journey. She offered so much insight, support, and tools to usher me through; as well as inspiring me with her own vulnerability. I’m grateful to have a friend in her and why I wanted to have this conversation with her first. She’s one of the biggest reasons I was even able to finish the album.”
Ahead of the album’s release, Sanaa Lathan shares, “Rapsody never ceases to amaze me with her poetic genius. So thrilled to see her put out her latest masterpiece with this new level of vulnerability and authenticity; all layered over infectious beats. Can’t wait for the world to experience this one.”
Rapsody initially kicked off her campaign with the arrival of the lead single “Asteroids” featuring 3X Grammy Award-winning beatmaker Hit-Boy. The single was accompanied by a series of billboards plastered at different high traffic locations across her beloved home state of North Carolina, featuring tweets from her fans in support of Rap’s return to hip-hop that incorporated the hashtag #RapIsBack.
Please Don’t Cry, now available for pre-order, is a more self-aware version of Rapsody. It explores the depth of her talent with more vulnerability than any prior releases. The 22-track album is primed for widespread acclaim and features collaborative contributions from Phylicia Rashad, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Alex Isley, Niko Brim, and Baby Tate to name a few. The album has been four years in the making, serving as Rap’s first full-length album since 2019’s Eve.
Elsewhere, Rapsody recently performed at Erykah Badu’s yearly birthday bash concert in Dallas for her 53rd birthday where she previewed their collaborative single “3:AM.” It’s also important to note that Rap’s album rollout will consist of original content and limited edition merchandise that features a prominent QR code for fan-first announcements.
Please Don’t Cry is out May 17th, pre-order it here, and stay tuned for more from Rapsody.
Please Don’t Cry Tracklist:
She’s Expecting You ft. Phylicia Rashad
Marlanna
Asteroids
Look What You’ve Done
DND (It’s Not Personal) ft. Bee-B
Black Popstar ft. DIXSON
Stand Tall
That One Time
3:AM ft. Erykah Badu
Loose Rocks ft. Alex Isley
Diary of a Mad Bitch ft. Bibi Bourelly
Never Enough ft. Keznamdi
He Shot Me
God’s Light
Back In My Bag
Niko’s Interlude ft. Niko Brim
Raw ft. Lil Wayne
Lonely Women
A Ballad for Homegirls ft. Baby Tate
Please Don’t Cry Interlude ft. Phylicia Rashad
Faith
Forget Me Not ft. Amber Navran & Phylicia Rashad
ABOUT RAPSODY:
In the saturated market of music and entertainment, consumers live with a constant craving for outliers and one-of-ones. In the sphere of hip-hop, Rapsody is that outlier. The Snow Hill, North Carolina native has more than held her own alongside greats like Kendrick Lamar, Black Thought, and the late Mac Miller (in 2011, she toured with Miller on his Incredibly Dope Tour.) She has been broadcasted and hailed by media giants – from NPR to TIME Magazine, from BET (2020 Hip Hop Awards’ Lyricist of the Year) to NBC (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon). In 2020 she was awarded Lyricist of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards, in 2021 she was recognized as a part of EBONY’S Power 100, and XXL named her one of the 20 Greatest Female Rappers of All Time. Dr. Dre even crowned her his “favorite female emcee.” 2017’s Laila’s Wisdom, named after her grandmother, featured a constellation of guests (Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Busta Rhymes, Musiq Soulchild, etc), and launched two Grammy nominations – one for Best Rap Album and the other for Best Rap Song. The groundwork laid prior to Laila’s Wisdom included her outstanding verse on Paak’s 9th Wonder-produced “Without U” (off of his beloved major label debut, Malibu) and her first GRAMMY nomination for her exceptional performance on Kendrick’s sophomore standout To Pimp A Butterfly. Her discography spans over a decade and has made a lasting impact on hip-hop culture, avid music listeners, fans, and critics alike. Rapsody would later earn an invitation from President Barack Obama and Herbie Hancock to perform at the International Jazz Fest with Aretha Franklin, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, and Terri Lyne Carrington in honor of the late, great Prince. Then, she was invited to the White House again for a roundtable on Justice Reform as part of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Her latest offering, EVE, is a celebration of black female culture, with each song titled after a phenomenal black woman.
