As the hours of 2010 fade out we begin reflecting on last years highs and lows and our upcoming resolutions for the new year. My new year’s resolution, start writing weekly articles again! Due to my temporary hiatus I’m three weeks late on Rapsody’s release of Return of the B-Girl. My apologies.

Rapsody is a 27-year-old emcee from North Carolina who’s recently been signed to Grammy Award winning producer 9th Wonder’s JAMLA Label, under his It’s A Wonderful World Music Group. Return of the B-Girl is Rapsody’s first solo project with JAMLA/IWWMG.

In his mini-documentary ‘9th Wonder Presents Rapsody‘, 9th Wonder praises Rapsody as an artist and refers to her as hip hop’s new first lady.

“Rap is probably one of the most gifted emcees I’ve ever worked with. A real passion for the music,” said 9th Wonder.

“Whatever you give to rap or hip hop is what you’re going to get back and she gives 100% all the time. Always willing to learn, always doing verses, erasing em’, that just shows there’s a perfectionism in what she wants to do. That just shows the people that she models herself after. From Jay-Z to Lauren Hill to so many countless wordsmiths in our time. It just shows you that she wants to be the best at what she is. I don’t think she wants to be the best female emcee. She wants to be one of the best emcees ever.”

Like other hip hop artists out of N.C. such as Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder (also known as the group Little Brother) Rapsody embodies soul and a true love for the culture. Her emphasis on lyricism and storytelling reflect her 90s music influences, like MC Lyte, Queen Latifa, Bahamadia, Roxanne Shante and Lauren Hill. Rapsody’s dedication to the craft of emceeing is obvious throughout the mixtape.

Return of the B-Girl features multigenerational appearances by classic old school artists Rah Digga and Big Daddy Kane and new school youngsters like Mac Miller and Thee Tom Hardy. The 20 track mixtape displays solid lyricism of everyday life and rap dreams over soulful beats produced by 9th, AMP, E. Jones, Ka$h, Khrysis and Eric. G.

Rapsody’s flows are articulate and insightful. Her style demonstrates a respect to the hip hop culture as an artist and a student. On her track ‘Return of the B-Girl’ Rapsody makes clear “Respect culture over everything…The return of B-Girls we rise again.”

Let’s hope so in 2011!