The North Carolina rapper Rapsody has a new single, “Ibtihaj,” featuring guest verses from GZA and the elusive D’Angelo, who hasn’t had new music in a minute. His last album was 2014’s Black Messiah, and he’s been sorely missed since then.
This song samples GZA’s “Liquid Swords,” with D’Angelo singing the chorus to that track, while GZA contributes a brand new verse. “Ibtihaj” is named for Ibtihaj Muhammad, a sabre fencer and the first American to perform in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. She won the bronze medal in 2016.
Rapsody’s last album was 2017’s Laila’s Wisdom, and her forthcoming (third) full-length Eve is set for an August 23 release via Roc Nation Records. The record was made in celebration of women of color, and each song is titled after an iconic black female who’s inspired Rapsody herself.
The corresponding music video stars Mary J. Blige, GZA, and Roxanne Shanté, plus a whole bunch of women proudly donning multi-colored hijabs. Watch it below.
