Marlanna Evans, known professionally as Rapsody, is a Grammy-nominated rapper and lyricist from Snow Hill, North Carolina. She began her career in the college hip-hop collective Kooley High before catching the attention of producer 9th Wonder, who signed her to his label Jamla Records. Her debut album, The Idea of Beautiful (2012), showcased her sharp lyricism and introspective storytelling, earning early critical praise. Rapsody gained mainstream recognition after featuring on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly with “Complexion (A Zulu Love).” Her 2017 album, Laila’s Wisdom, received two Grammy nominations and cemented her as one of hip-hop’s most thoughtful voices. In 2019, she released Eve, a conceptual album honoring influential Black women, followed by Please Don’t Cry (2024), which explored vulnerability and self-growth. Known for her intricate wordplay and grounded wisdom, Rapsody bridges classic hip-hop traditions with a modern, purposeful voice.
