Rapsody set to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy with special Soweto performance this July
Image: Instagram/@rapsody
9th Wonder's first lady, Rapsody, will be coming to South Africa, Soweto, on July 18 for 'UPRISING: A Night Walk Through Memory, Music, and Resistance'.
The rapper will be alongside Nomsa Mazwai, with whom she built a long-term friendship and sisterhood. According to the joint post by Mazwai and Rapsody, the night tour will honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela as well as the June 16 Soweto Uprising.
The night will include an intimate community dinner and a conversation between Seth Mazibuko, a former student leader and historian who was part of the 1976 march and the youngest student to be imprisoned.
Also part of the conversation will be the Grammy-award-winning rapper, with Mazwai moderating the event.
'I remember how much Soweto inspired my 'The Idea of Beautiful' album. You gave me so much inspiration, fueled verses and sonics well beyond that album.
'I'm looking forward to walking the streets of Soweto on July 18 with you and drinking from the fountain of wisdom that is Bra Seth!,' said Rapsody.
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The rapper's relationship with South Africa goes way back, in her own words, the country had a lot of influence on her critically acclaimed 2012 album 'The Idea of Beautiful', which featured Mazwai, Childish Gambino and Ab-Soul, to mention a few.
Talking to 'Daily Sun' about her relationship with Rapsody, Mazwai revealed the depth of their sisterhood.
'Rapsody and 9th Wonder sampled three of my songs from my debut SAMAs-winning album, 'Nomisupasta'. We've been friends and sisters ever since,' she said.
Additionally, she emphasised Rapsody's involvement with South African history and rich heritage.
'She's been invested in the community of Soweto since her debut album 15 years ago. Now that she has a Grammy, we want to see her and congratulate her,' Mazwai told 'Daily Sun'.
The 'Forget Me Not' hitmaker was also involved in another South African inspired album, Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly', which was released in 2015. She appeared on a song titled 'Complexion (A Zulu Love).
At the time, Kendrick Lamar's visit to Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island had a huge impact on his album, which inspired themes of racial injustice, self-reflection and cultural history.
Given Rapsody's history with South Africa, her involvement in the album, particularly the track, was a no-brainer, as she is known for her introspective and personal lyrics, as well as her soulful, jazzy delivery.
Her own music often incorporates elements of hip-hop, R&B and spoken word, showcasing her versatility and lyrical skill.
Through her work, Rapsody has established herself as a respected lyricist in the American hip-hop scene and on a global scale.
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