Rapsody – Bio, Career, Age, Achievements

INTRODUCTION

Rapsody is an American rapper widely regarded as one of the most skilled lyricists in hip-hop. She gained prominence after being featured on Kendrick Lamar‘s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly on the track “Complexion (A Zulu Love).” Her second album Laila’s Wisdom (2017) was nominated for two Grammy Awards — Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. Her single “3:AM” featuring Erykah Badu won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. She signed with Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation in 2016.

Birth Name

Marlanna Evans

Career

Rapper and songwriter

Birthday

January 21, 1983

Age

43 years old

Zodiac Sign

Aquarius

Birthplace

Snow Hill, North Carolina

Nationality

American

HOW BIG IS Rapsody ON THE NET?

Rapsody has earned widespread critical acclaim throughout her career. Her album Laila’s Wisdom (2017) received two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. Her single “3:AM” featuring Erykah Badu from her fourth album Please Don’t Cry (2024) won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. She has released five studio albums, including The Idea of Beautiful (2012), Eve (2019), Please Don’t Cry (2024), and God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops (2026). She collaborated with Madlib on the EP MadRaps (2025).

HOW DID Rapsody become famous?

Rapsody began her career at North Carolina State University, where she joined the hip-hop collective H2O and its spinoff group Kooley High, despite not having rapped before. The group met producer 9th Wonder in 2004, who was impressed by one of her verses. She signed with 9th Wonder’s It’s A Wonderful World Music Group and released a series of acclaimed mixtapes. Her feature on Kendrick Lamar‘s To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) brought her to a wider audience. She signed with Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation in July 2016.

BEFORE THE FAME

Marlanna Evans was born on January 21, 1983, and grew up in the small town of Snow Hill, North Carolina. She developed an interest in music at a young age through her parents’ record collections. After watching the video for MC Lyte‘s “Poor Georgie” and discovering Fugees‘ The Score, she decided she wanted to pursue a career in rap. She also watched Yo! MTV Raps and considered MC Lyte as one of her early influences, later stating Lauryn Hill as an all-time favorite. She attended Greene Central High School and later North Carolina State University.

CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED)

Rapsody has been associated with many notable figures, including 9th Wonder (longtime producer and mentor), Kendrick Lamar (featured on To Pimp a Butterfly), Jay-Z (Roc Nation), Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Mac Miller, Big Daddy Kane, Raekwon, Skyzoo, Big K.R.I.T., Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, Jean Grae, Murs, Phonte, Stevie Wonder, Busta Rhymes, Cordae, Chika, Madlib, and Black Thought.

Personal LIFE and Relationship

Rapsody keeps her personal life very private. Her 2017 album Laila’s Wisdom was named after her grandmother, Laila Ray. Her third album Eve (2019) featured each track named after an influential woman. In 2019, she played for the “Home” roster during the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at the Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. She released her fifth studio album God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops on August 21, 2026, featuring guest appearances from Amanda Reifer, George Clinton, and Malice.