Chicago has a growing roster of dope, unique hip-hop artists coming out that shows they have a lot more to offer than just โChiraqโ and drill music. Noname first caught my attention onย Acid Rap by Chance the Rapper. Her feature was unique and her style was something I hadnโt really heard before. I was intrigued and wanted to hear more from her, so when she dropped her debut projectย Telefone I had to give it a listen.
Right out the gate,ย the production onย Telefone struck me as just plain gorgeous. The soft piano keys, chimes, and string instruments on a lot of the tracks paint a beautiful landscape thatโs rarely seen in hip-hop. The production shares influence from jazz, soul, and gospel all alike,ย while still maintaining itโs hip-hop edge. There are no club anthems or trap beats to be found here, every beat is layered and intricate, and has a sense of lightness to them. โAll I Needโ is probably my favorite song offย Telefone, the maracas and slow claps paired with the deep bass line layered over the piano keys in the background provide the perfect stage for the soulful singing on the hook.
โAll of my n***** is casket pretty
Ainโt no one safe in this happy city
I hope you make it home
I hope to God that my teleโ donโt ringโ
This lightness in the production is often in stark contrast with the complex, often serious lyrics that Noname lays down. She raps aboutย the realities of growing up in Chicago and the struggles of being a black woman in America with a matter of factness thatโsย rarely seen. The subject matter goes some very serious places, but itโs always done within the confines of her determination and hopefulness for a brighter tomorrow. If she can keep on keeping on, then so can you. Herย delivery is as unique as the subject matter; as much spoken word as it is rapping. Thereโs an emphasis on each word being spoken that makes you pay attention to whatโs being said. Itโs allย refreshing stuff and really makesย Telefoneย stand out from the crowd. Noname has a bright future ahead of her.
โCheck my twitter page for something Holier than black death
Who am I, Gypsy black
The vacancy of hallelu
Me hollow in my interviews
Me only wearing tennis shoes to clubs with dress codesโ
Have you heardย Telefone? What did you think about it? Did you appreciate the serious subject matter? Did you like Nonameโs rhymeย style? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave a rating for the album.
