Latest news with #Rapsody
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Rapsody set to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy with special Soweto performance this July
Rapsody is set to hit the streets of Soweto in honour of Nelson Mandela's legacy. 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 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.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Deitrick Haddon Takes Issue With GloRilla Gospel Win, Kirk Franklin Tribute At BET Awards
Gospel star Deitrick Haddon has voiced his disagreeance with BET awarding Memphis rapper GloRilla the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/ Inspirational Award at the 2025 BET Awards. He also alluded to it being unfair that Kirk Franklin is consistently recognized for his contributions to the genre while others who are just as influential are largely ignored. Haddon took to his social media page Tuesday (June 10) morning with his critique of the awards show, starting off his Instagram video stating that Gospel is in need of an 'overhaul.' 'After last night's show, it's an indicator that we just need a complete reset,' he continued. 'Like, what are we doing? Are we allowing this to happen over and over again, and wonder why the Gospel music industry is dying?' He went on to advocate for those who truly know Gospel music to be 'in the room' when decisions are being made regarding awards, as it is 'already a small genre' where artists often go unrecognized. 'It's hard for us to watch the Bobby Jones Gospel Award being given to somebody that's not in our space. No disrespect to the artist, but that's not the space she's in,' he said of Glo winning for her song 'Rain Down On Me' featuring Franklin, Maverick City Music, and Kierra Sheard. Her fellow nominees featured a variety of Gospel and mainstream artists who've created inspirational songs, including Common, Pete Rock, Jennifer Hudson, and Rapsody. Haddon then says the Gospel community is 'tired of seeing the same people being celebrated year after year,' referring to Franklin receiving the BET Icon Award — alongside Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Jamie Foxx — that same night. 'You cannot just give it to one person as if they're the only one keeping it going. No, no, we're done with that. Last night was a great win for the ratings for BET…but it was not a win for the Gospel music industry.' Within his caption, he elaborated, 'We can't keep honoring the same few people every year and expect the genre to grow. I've heard the cries behind the scenes. People are tired. The culture is shifting, but the system is stuck.' Check out his post below. Haddon followed-up with a post Thursday (June 12) stating he spoke to thee Bobby Jones and hinted — without saying it outright — that the legend agrees with his take, writing, 'If you have to ask me what he thinks… then you clearly have no clue! Those of us who truly know? We'll keep preaching, pushing, pressing, raising our voices, voting and going to the meetings until we see real change.' See the post from Claressa Shields Questions Angel Reese Winning BET Award Over Her: "I Just Thought Accolades Mattered" Rocsi Diaz, AJ Calloway Apologize For Their Absence During '106 & Park' Reunion At 2025 BET Awards Young Thug Flips The Bird At Stranger Seemingly Over Mariah The Scientist
Elle
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Doechii Addresses the Los Angeles Protests During Her BET Awards Acceptance Speech
Doechii used her platform in a major way at last night's BET Awards. After stunning on the red carpet in a Miu Miu set and cascading braids, the rapper won the first award of the evening, for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. At the mic, she took the time to acknowledge the current protests against the ICE immigration raids in Los Angeles. She started off her speech by thanking BET and shouting out her fellow nominees, which included GloRilla, Cardi B, Doja Cat, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Sexyy Red, and Rapsody, before turning the spotlight elsewhere. 'As much as I'm honored by this award,' she said, 'I do want to address what's happening right now outside of the building.' (The BET Awards took place at L.A.'s Peacock Theater). 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,' she continued. 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. And I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' She ended the speech by reflecting on using her platform. 'I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people: for Black people, for Latino people, for Trans people, for the people in Gaza.' Read her full speech below:
