| Eve | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 23, 2019 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 62:59 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| Rapsody chronology | ||||
| ||||
Eve is the third studio album by American rapper Rapsody, released on August 23, 2019. Each song is named for an influential black woman, including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Myrlie Evers, and Aaliyah. [1] Eve also samples artists like Phil Collins (his hit single "In the Air Tonight" was sampled on the second track "Cleo"), Nina Simone and Herbie Hancock. [2]
Rapsody decided to write the album in 2018 when a writer asked her if she felt that she was a successor to Nina Simone and Roberta Flack. She crafted an album with each song dedicated to one of her heroes. [3]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.0/10 [4] |
| Metacritic | 90/100 [5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| And It Don't Stop | A− [7] |
| Evening Standard |  [8] |
| The Guardian | [1] |
| HipHopDX | 5/5 [9] |
| The Independent | [10] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10 [11] |
| Q | [12] |
| Rolling Stone | [13] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | B+ (  ) [14] |
Eve was critically acclaimed by contemporary music critics at the time of its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 90, based on 8 reviews. [5]
Andy Kellman reviewed the album for AllMusic, concluding that "[Rapsody's] lyrical marksmanship, top-tier mike command, and service to her people and culture are indisputable." [6] Reviewing the album for HipHopDX , Kyle Eustice claimed that "The 16-track potent lyrical adventure is peppered with countless poetic musings masquerading as seamless Hip Hop tracks, easily solidifying Rapsody's musical legacy." [9] In the review for Pitchfork , Sheldon Pearce described Rapsody as "A self-professed rapper's rapper, [she] has been taut and inflexible in the past, almost as if having to force her immense talent to overcome a deck stacked against her. It sounds like she's in a home-run trot on Eve." [11]
Roisin O'Conner also praised the album in the review for The Independent ; "Women’s power, as a source of strength, intellect, emotion and, most importantly, life, has been a recurring theme in the North Carolina artist’s work for years. On her new album, Eve, she explores a lineage of black female icons in a way that is both tender and compelling." [10] Writing about the album's content, Stephen Kearse stated in a review for Rolling Stone that "Throughout Eve, Rapsody speaks frankly of the burdens black women bear, citing infighting that perpetuates sexism ("Cleo") as well as the psychic costs of the violence that black men endure ("Myrlie") and commit ("Afeni"). These are not new themes for her, but here they resonate more fully. As she taps into the specific struggles and tribulations borne by her idols, she sees her own battles with visibility and self-assurance more clearly. Black girls are magic, but they are also people." [13] In the review for The Guardian , Aimee Cliff declared, "With a delivery cut from the same cloth as Jay-Z or Lauryn Hill, she’s a storyteller, and counterbalances her wisdom with a dry, playful wit. Plus, she’s the queen of the dismissive one-liner." [1]
In a year-end essay for Slate , Ann Powers cited Eve as one of her favorite albums from 2019 and proof that the format is not dead but rather undergoing a "metamorphosis". She added that concept albums had reemerged through the culturally-relevant autobiographical narratives of artists such as Rapsody, who created a tribute to her ancestors "that spoke volumes about black life today". [15]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nina" |
| Mark Byrd | 4:20 |
| 2. | "Cleo" |
| 9th Wonder | 4:00 |
| 3. | "Aaliyah" |
| Eric G | 3:54 |
| 4. | "Oprah" (featuring Leikeli47) |
| Eric G | 5:02 |
| 5. | "Whoopi" | Khrysis | 3:12 | |
| 6. | "Serena" |
| Eric G | 2:54 |
| 7. | "Tyra" |
| Eric G | 2:01 |
| 8. | "Maya" (featuring K. Roosevelt) |
| 9th Wonder | 3:41 |
| 9. | "Ibtihaj" (featuring GZA and D'Angelo) |
| 9th Wonder | 4:40 |
| 10. | "Myrlie" (featuring Mereba) |
| Eric G | 2:21 |
| 11. | "Reyna's Interlude" |
| 9th Wonder | 3:49 |
| 12. | "Michelle" (featuring Elle Varner) |
| Nottz | 3:49 |
| 13. | "Iman" (featuring Sir and JID) |
| 9th Wonder | 4:35 |
| 14. | "Hatshepsut" (featuring Queen Latifah) |
| Nottz | 3:15 |
| 15. | "Sojourner" (featuring J. Cole) |
| 9th Wonder | 5:31 |
| 16. | "Afeni" (featuring PJ Morton) |
| 9th Wonder | 5:53 |
| Total length: | 62:59 | |||
Sample credits
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [22] | 76 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [23] | 42 |
Dana Elaine Owens, known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, and actress. She has received various accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards, in addition to a nomination for an Academy Award. In 2006, she became the first hip hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott, also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began her musical career as a member of the R&B girl group Sista during the 1990s, who were part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob—led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. The former group's commercially unsuccessful debut album, 4 All the Sistas Around da World (1994), was released by Elektra Records and met with positive critical reception. She collaborated with album's producer and Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to work in songwriting and production for other acts, yielding commercially successful releases for 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total.
Afeni Shakur Davis was an American political activist and member of the Black Panther Party. Shakur was the mother of rapper Tupac Shakur and the executor of his estate. She founded the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and also served as the CEO of Amaru Entertainment, Inc., a record and film production company she founded.
"Not Today" is a song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige for her sixth studio album Love & Life (2003). It features a guest appearance from rapper Eve. The song was written by Blige, Eve, Mike Elizondo, Theron Feemster, Bruce Miller, and Dr. Dre, while production was helmed by the latter. Built upon a "plinking beat", it lyrically emphasizes the theme of broken promises and consequent end of the relationship.
Chris Brown is the debut album by American singer Chris Brown, released on November 29, 2005, through Jive Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, Oak Felder, Bryan-Michael Cox and the Underdogs among others. The album also features guest appearances by Juelz Santana, Lil Wayne, Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri.
Myrlie Louise Evers-Williams is an American civil rights activist and journalist who worked for over three decades to seek justice for the 1963 murder of her husband Medgar Evers, another civil rights activist. She also served as chairwoman of the NAACP, and has published several books on topics related to civil rights and her husband's legacy. On January 21, 2013, she delivered the invocation at the second inauguration of Barack Obama.
"Dear Mama" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his third studio album, Me Against the World (1995). It was released on February 21, 1995, as the lead single from the album. The song is a tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur. In the song, Shakur details his childhood poverty and his mother's addiction to crack cocaine, but argues that his love and deep respect for his mother supersede bad memories. The song became his first top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number nine. It also topped the Hot Rap Singles chart for five weeks. As of March 2021, the song is certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA.
Eve-Olution is the third studio album by American rapper Eve, released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment on August 27, 2002 and distributed through Interscope Records. Production was handled by frequent collaborators Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz and also Irv Gotti, among others. The album spawned the internationally successful single "Gangsta Lovin'", which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop song charts as well as number four in Australia, and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 133,000 copies while also reaching the top twenty in Canada, France, and Switzerland. For selling over 600,000 copies in the US, it was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Control System is the second studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on May 11, 2012, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from Jhené Aiko, Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kendrick Lamar, JaVonte, Punch, Ashtrobot and vocals from the late Alori Joh. The album's production was handled by Digi+Phonics, King Blue, Nez & Rio, Skhye Hutch, Curtiss King, Aahyasis, and Tommy Black.
Acid Rap is the second mixtape by American rapper Chance the Rapper. It was released on April 30, 2013, as a free digital download. In July 2013, the mixtape debuted at number 63 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, due to bootleg downloads on iTunes and Amazon not affiliated with the artist. The mixtape has been certified "diamond" on mixtape site Datpiff, for garnering over 1,000,000 downloads. It was rereleased on streaming services on June 21, 2019, alongside his 2012 mixtape 10 Day. A 10th anniversary Complete Edition was later released, including the full version of "Juice", which previously wasn't available for streaming due to sampling issues.
"To Be Young, Gifted and Black" is a song by Nina Simone with lyrics by Weldon Irvine. Simone introduced the song on August 17, 1969, to a crowd of 50,000 at the Harlem Cultural Festival, captured on broadcast video tape and released in 2021 as the documentary film Summer of Soul. Two months later, she recorded the song as part of her concert at Philharmonic Hall, a performance that resulted in her live album Black Gold (1970). Released as a single, it peaked at number 8 on the R&B chart and number 76 on the Hot 100 in January 1970. A cover version by Jamaican duo Bob and Marcia reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970.
Marlanna Evans, better known by her stage name Rapsody, is an American rapper. After signing with music producer 9th Wonder's music label It's a Wonderful World Music Group, she released a series of mixtapes and collaborated with Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. Soon afterwards Rapsody released her debut album The Idea of Beautiful (2012). She would attain further prominence when she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly, on the track "Complexion ".
Doggumentary is the eleventh studio album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg. It was released on March 29, 2011 on the Priority Records record label. The album was produced by Battlecat, The Cataracs, Gorillaz, David Banner, THX, DJ Khalil, Fredwreck, Jake One, David Guetta, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Lex Luger, Meech Wells, Mr. Porter, Rick Rock, Rick Rude, Scoop DeVille, Scott Storch, Warryn Campbell, Kanye West, DJ Reflex, among others.
Rebellious Soul is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter K. Michelle. The album was released on August 13, 2013, by Atlantic Records. Its songs were mostly co-written and co-composed by Michelle and Bianca Atterberry. Other artists who collaborated on the album include Tank, Priscilla Renea, Meek Mill, and Jack Splash. Musically, Rebellious Soul was inspired by Michelle's love for emotional ballads, and the 1970s and 1980s eras in music. She incorporated different combinations of musical genres, including electronic, R&B, hip hop, soul and gospel, for the album's songs.
Laila's Wisdom is the second studio album by American rapper Rapsody, released on September 22, 2017, by Jamla Records and Roc Nation. It is Rapsody's first album released under her partnership with Roc Nation. The album features collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Busta Rhymes, Lance Skiiiwalker, Black Thought, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Musiq Soulchild, among others.
"Be Careful" is a song by American rapper Cardi B from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018). It was released on March 29, 2018, as the third single from the album. The song was written by Cardi B, Jordan Thorpe, and produced by Boi-1da, Vinylz, and Frank Dukes. It contains an interpolation from "Ex-Factor", written and performed by Lauryn Hill, which itself samples "Can It Be All So Simple", written and performed by Wu-Tang Clan. The latter song also samples "The Way We Were". Therefore, Hill, the eight members of Wu-Tang Clan, and Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman are credited among the composers.
Born 2 Rap is the ninth studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on November 29, 2019, via eOne Music. Its release coincided with the Game's fortieth birthday. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, although Game resumed his recording career in 2021. It features guest appearances from Dom Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, 21 Savage, Anderson .Paak, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, D Smoke, J. Stone, Just Liv, Masego, Marsha Ambrosius, Miguel, Mozzy, Nipsey Hussle, Osbe Chill, Red Café, Sly Pyper, ToBi, Travis Barker and Trey Songz.
Homecoming: The Live Album is the fifth live album by American singer Beyoncé, recorded from her two headlining Coachella performances in April 2018. It was released on April 17, 2019. The album accompanied a concert film documenting the performance, Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé, which premiered the same day on the streaming platform Netflix. The album was also released on vinyl, on December 4, 2020.
"Woman" is a song by British rapper Little Simz featuring fellow British singer Cleo Sol. It was released on 6 May 2021, as the second single from the former's fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021). The song was written by Simz, Sol, and record producer Inflo.
Please Don't Cry is the fourth studio album by American rapper Rapsody. It was released on May 17, 2024, through the Jamla and Roc Nation labels.
