Rapsody on Why ‘Please Don’t Cry’ Is Her Most Vulnerable Album, Working With Lil Wayne, Women in Hip Hop & More | Billboard News

Rapsody shares why ‘Please Don’t Cry’ is her most vulnerable album, how her truth is incorporated throughout all of the songs and her various collaborations including: Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, and Dixson. She also talks about the resurgence of women in hip hop and how Nicki Minaj & Cardi B helped pave the way and more!

Rapsody:

I think it’s exciting and beautiful time for hip hop, to have women at the forefront. We’re everywhere. It’s gonna stand the test of time and I think it’s going to help to even out the playing field, that may not be that we’re always at the forefront, but we won’t be in the shadow. What’s up y’all this is Rapsody and you’re watching Billboard News.

Gail Mitchell:

I’m thrilled to be sitting next to Rapsody.

Rapsody:

I’m so happy to be here with you. Legend.

I wanted to get your take on the resurgence of women in hip hop and you’ve seen a lot of change, ups and downs in that arena. Is this more than just a moment? I think some people might still try to look at it as a fad. It’ll go away, but is…

Rapsody:

No. You know, this is a beautiful beginning. You know, just we never seen it like this, or no. I think there was a time. 90s of course you know we have MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Lauryn, Lil’ Kim, Foxy, Missy Elliott, Charli Baltimore, I can go on and on. But I think with social media, you just, you see it in such a heavy force. It’s everywhere. So I mean, I’m excited about it.

Gail Mitchell:

Who were your key influences on the hip hop side coming up? 

Rapsody:

My key? Lauryn Hill, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Nas, Biggie. Erykah Badu, she’s hip hop. To me MC Lyte, Queen Latifah. I listened, DMX heavy. What? Heavy, heavy East Coast right?