Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on of the 2019 Hip Hop song "Ibtihaj" by Rapsody.
Part I showcases a YouTube video of Rapsody's record "Ibtihaj" and includes the lyrics to that Hip Hop record. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread that provide information about the record's lyrics and/or tune are also included in this post. Additional comments from that discussion thread focus on the video itself.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/10/rapsody-ibtihaj-ft-dangelo-gza-part-ii.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part I presents selected discussion thread comments from Rapsody's Hip Hop record "Ibtihaj " that focus on the Hip Hop artists who are featured in this record or who have cameos in this video.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Rapsody for this Hip Hop record, and thank to all of those who are associated with this record. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO & LYRICS: Rapsody - Ibtihaj ft. D'Angelo, GZA
Rapsody, Aug 2, 2019
[...]
*Donate to Peter Westbrook Foundation. Support the fencers here: http://www.peterwestbrook.org/donate
-snip-
WARNING: A form of what is commonly referred to as the "n word" is included in this record.
****
LYRICS: IBTIHAJ
(performed by Rapsody featuring D'Angelo & GZA)
Now when the emcees came
To live out the name
And *shhkka shhhk* perform
Some had to snort cocaine
To act insane to provoke
It rocket on
Now on with the mental planes
Spark the brain
With the building to be born
Boy! Boy you sharp, boy!
Look that fade on you, boy!
Eww, boy! That’s liquid swords on your head, boy!
Yo, waves!
Thinkin’ like back in the days when niggas wore fades
Silk tied caps just tryna catch a wave
(boy you sharp)
Tryna catch a wave
(liquid swords sharp)
Tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
A wave
It’s been a long time coming
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (killah)
The birds and the killah bees
when the emcees came to live out their name
Inscribed in the halls and the walls of fame
Balancing life I wrote both the ying and yang
The Hansberry/hands bury the man and they raise the sun, Lorraine
That’s a play on words, they say herb ain’t all the same
Slaves in prison and they some unchained
While everybody in my gang a star, DJ Preem
screaming the sunroof “money still ain’t thang”
While I’m spending small bank asking “where is my change?”
Carpool with the homies saving gas in tank
I think like a billionaire, I spend less than I make
Strong minded I should bench way more than my weight
women been leading the way since Roxanne Shante
And the Unit had flavor and Jay had Marcy neighbors that waved
They lookin confused I’m like “cool maybe it’s age”
When I see Afro puffs i think maybe it’s Rage
Maybe it’s staged, they trippin, say they got beef
Ain’t a emcee on this earth that make me feel afraid
Wu-tang for the children, that’s a scripture and phrase
See my goals from a birds view like Trae Underage
Now when the emcees came
To live out the name
And *shhkka shhhk* perform
Some had to snort cocaine
To act insane to provoke
It rocket on
Now on to the mental planes
Spark the brain
With the building to be born
When Im so off the radar its very hard to find me
It’s space is selfie with the earth behind me
You follow the leader the track is off the meter
A lot of rappers wack, low frequency in the tweeters
Very inaudible clock radio speakers
Quietly whispering as a world of wiki leakers
Forget the gaudiness, my method is nausent
Transferring ideas into the brains of the audience
The street poet gave a special art form a global reach
ya burn your heart and then your ear by giving a local speech
Believe and wonder wit words as potent as the sorcery
Witch craft, wit a list of terms in the glossary
Written rap bound to have a great impact
On a listener for the fact, its well in tact
An emcee should electrify, beauty and strive to
Empower, inspire, transform a world view
back in the days when niggas wore fades
Silk tied caps just tryna catch a wave
(boy you sharp)
Tryna catch a wave
(liquid swords sharp)
Tryna catch a wave
Tryna catch a wave
A wave
It’s been a long time coming
Since we had someone swarming with the bees (killah)
The birds and the killah bees
-snip-
Statistics as of October 9, 2019 at 11:10 AM
total # of views - 1,273,223
total # of likes - 47,000
total # of dislikes - 1,600
total # of comments - 4,744
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO
All of these comments are from August 2, 2019 to October 9, 2019 and are presented in relative chronological order based on their publishing date (with the oldest dated comments given first).
1. Mickey Lukas
"Form an old head who became Hiphop conscious in 83 I'd like to say to Rapsody, thank you!!"
**
2. agrey832
"9th Wonder is a national treasure. This beat is Amazing"
-snip-
Here's some information about 9th Wonder from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Wonder#targetText=Patrick%20Denard%20Douthit%20(born%20January,Hussle%2C%20and%20Anderson%20.Paak.
"Patrick Denard Douthit[2] (born January 15, 1975),[3] better known as 9th Wonder, is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, lecturer, and rapper from Midway, North Carolina, U.S. He began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother in Durham, North Carolina, and has also worked with Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, David Banner, Lecrae, Jill Scott, Big Boi, Rapsody, 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, and Anderson .Paak. As of 2010, 9th Wonder raps under the name of 9thmatic.[4] 9th Wonder has a smooth and soulful production style that builds on samples from artists such as Al Green and Curtis Mayfield.[5]"...
**
REPLY
3. Sicario Sic
"It's the original beat from the original song from '95"
**
REPLY
4. Smartguy1002
"The beat came from GZA’s Liquid Swords originally. They just added to it."
**
REPLY
5. rickos1234
"This beat is 20 years old loooool
**
6. Kosmik Grl
"Loving all the imagery in this Video....From the fits to the symbolism. Kind of gives me those late 90s summer vibes. overall, Dope Video!"
**
7. James Casey
"Personally I didn't understand the hijabs in a rap video-- don't get me wrong they look beautiful, natural and dignified-- its just that Islam strictly forbids music."
**
REPLY
8. Ali Chaudhry
"@James Casey Islam doesn't require women to wear hijabs either. It just says dress modestly. Hijab is more of a cultural thing. Think of it as Muslims rather than Islam. Muslims interpret or follow Islam differently. Some Muslims despise music. And many Muslims love music. For example, there are dozens of celebrated Muslim musicians from Pakistan, where the Islam is practiced by 99% of the country. And millions of citizens there enjoy music. So that should indicate to you that even if music is frowned upon in the religion, clearly it is not too great of a transgression if millions partake in that "forbidden" activity. Not lying, cheating, stealing, etc. hold more weight, in my opinion, than not listening to music. And besides, whatever the repercussions of that love Muslims have for music is, that is between God and those people. Not our place to judge, shame, or condemn."
**
REPLY
9. Sherri I
"@James Casey the name of the song is an ode to Ibtihaj Muhammad who is a Muslim fencer who wears a hijab hence the imagery."
**
10. Suhaib Webb
"As a Muslim living in NYC, this touched me for many reasons. Thanks for this."
**
11. shadow moses
"Who ever produced this should work on their mixing skills more"
**
REPLY
12. Tony Jones
"@shadow moses Always someone hatin ass in the building... the sh&t* is fire"
**
REPLY
13. Brooklyn Y
"@Tony Jones always. Smh this is straight fiyah"
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REPLY
14. Jomarco Liverman
"shadow moses it was supposed to sound like that gritty uncut dirty that’s the beauty of it all taking back to the cutting room floor I love how they flipped this track sh&t* is fire"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
15. Lega-C
"Damn... real hip hop is back! Thank GOD! Peace and love ❤️"
**
16. Hugo Claro
"I love the reference to The Lady of Rage's " Afro Puffs". A 90's classic and definitely a must hear."
**
17. teknikal73
"Style, skill, application= Heavy!! Big Tune"
**
18. James Luckey
"Straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"
**
19. Sicayou Boo
"That chorus is sicccccc"
**
20. ItsOurFault
"THIS WHOLE JOINT IS FIRE!!!"
**
21. Ahway Kinn
"Representing for the Muslimahs!!!!✊✊✊✊❤ respect respect"
**
22. BiBi T
"Love 😍😍😍😍the braids and the Muslime women in the hijabs!! Cool video!! #visionary"
**
23. AliMD76
"Salaam Sisters......much respect.....let them know your Hijabs dont hold you back."
**
24. Michael Epps
"Dope old school flava"
**
25. Joe Still
"DOPE DOPE DOPE!!! M.C.M JACKET AND INTERIOR IS 🔥🔥🔥80'S THROW BACK. I'M FEELIN THIS!!!"
**
26. dookiepuddle
"I think we're slowly exiting the mumble/trap rap phase and heading back to the essence. True hip hop."
**
REPLY
27. BackwoodWulf
"Well always have trap beats & artist experimenting but this how the cycle works it’s good for the community i just hope more og artist with leverage would take heed you know its takes one to teach one"
**
28. Quincy Artis
"One of the tightess video's out, nobody shaking thier ass! Just striaght lyrics! I'm going to play it again!"
**
29. bobby cole
"officially already a classic"
**
30. The M Network
"I love the beat. Not really into the words. But the beat is off the chain. D love it."
**
31. Jocelyn Harris
"This beat is sick I need Robitussin I got chills"
**
REPLY
32. M Valaz
"Jocelyn Harris too dope 🔥🔥"
**
33. Joshua Massey
"Ibtihaj Muhammad is the first female Muslim-American athlete to earn a medal at the Olympics. 🙌🔥"
**
REPLY
34. Lew Paradise
"Thank you for the 411"
**
REPLY
35. Joshua Massey
"@Lew Paradise anytime! This track has everything great that I love about hip hop. My only complaint is the fencing in the video is all jacked up. Lol Ibtihaj Muhammad is a Olympic medalist in Sabre. In the video they're wearing Epee attire and fencing with a foil blade. Lol it doesn't make any sense but that's all besides the point of the message I guess."
**
REPLY
36. Joshua Massey
"Also everyone look into Ibtihaj Muhammad. She's a beast! Lots of footage of her sharing her story of finding a sport that accommodates her religious beliefs and struggles. So much respect! #WuTangForever"
**
37. Justin Laboy
"IB-teh-HADge, for those friends who can't pronounce the wombmans name."
**
38. yaboivybez
"now that I know who Ibtihaj is, I can fully understand the video"
**
39. Sunshine96818
"I need THIS to be viral. THIS should be the representation of hip hop...story telling, REAL bars, beautiful production. This was so refreshing, thank you for giving me hope that hip hop can still be good!"
**
40. Montay TheGreat
"This what old heads call hip hop🔥🔥"
**
41. Chaos Magician
"Heard it on BBC R6 Gideon Coe show just now :)"
**
42. Keshie Mansouri
"This is 🔥on so many levels. I've watched this 10x...🗣️🎤Tryna catch a wave, tryna catch a wave! Ayyyee. Super dope"
**
43. Lugombo MaKaNTa
"A Lotta Love and blessings from East Afrika!!!"
**
44. Tiff Xyz
"Visually, musically, and lyrically beautiful on all levels 💚💜💙💛"
**
45. KingRileyP.I.
"Damn I remember in 8th grade all we had was are waves. Lol. On the phone with ya girl at night getting ready for school and just brushing and brushing. 😂"
-snip-
are is a typo for “our”
"Waves" is a referent for a "ripple" pattern that is created by Black males as a result of continuous brushing their short hair.
Here's information about "waves" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waves_(hairstyle)#targetText=Waves%20are%20a%20hairstyle%20for,creating%20a%20ripple%2Dlike%20pattern.&targetText=A%20do%2Drag%20is%20worn,and%20holding%20it%20in%20place.
Waves are a hairstyle for curly hair in which the curls are brushed and/or combed and flattened out, creating a ripple-like pattern.
The hairstyle begins with a short-cropped haircut and frequent brushing and/or combing of the curls, which trains the curls to flatten out. Wave Pomades and moisturizers can help hold the hair in place while preventing the hair from getting too dry.[1][2] A do-rag is worn to preserve moisture while compressing the hair and holding it in place.[3][4][5]
In the early 20th century, as many African-American men sought to style their hair with texture-altering products, "cold soap" waves became a popular hairstyle. Men produced waves by washing their hair with soap but not rinsing all of it out before putting on their do-rags.[6]"
**
46. Aramat Jackson
"The 1.1 K That don't like this are all mumble rappers.... I SAID WHAT I SAID!!! Respect mi darling... Loving this one!!!!"
**
47. Lets Ride 832
"FINALLY!!! Music you can listen to with your kids present without worrying about crude language and sexual references. This music reminds me of the stuff "Arrested Development" use to put out. EXCELLENT!!!"
**
48. BigTone
"No scantily clad women? ...no azz shakin' or champagne spillin'?....no excessive jewelry? ...no guns or drugs? WTH kinda rap video is this??? There is hope for the future of Hip Hop after all, I guess!"
**
49.Tiffany Rachann
"The depiction of the Muslim wombman here is so beautiful. #welldone"
**
REPLY
50. Grym
"Yeah, it's so beautiful seeing woman in a garb that largely oppresses woman."
**
REPLY
51. QuoVadis?
"@Grym LOL, hilarious how they think Hijab is cool while muslim women in the middle east are being killed for taking it off...
That's real support to your actual oppressed sisters in muslim countries 👍👍🤣🤣"
**
REPLY
52. Devareay Dream Machine
"QuoVadis? This uninformed. Most muslim countries make the hijab optional. There are only 2 or 3 muslim countries that deem it mandatory, yet we focus on them, why?
Also, the hijab exists in several other religions including christianity, would you say christians are opressed when they wear it? Probably not.
There is nothing wrong with a women wearing a hijab because she chooses to, just like there is nothing wrong with a women covering her self up or not because she chooses to."
**
REPLY
53. Babylon Bwoy
"@peaco1000 I'm muslim, I'm arabian and that's bullsh&t*, most of the women I know choose to wear what they want, you're just saying what mass medias says about muslims, you don't know sh&t** about it
-snip-
* and ** These words are fully spelled out in this comment.
**
REPLY
54. peaco1000
"@Babylon Bwoy No it's true. Many countries FORCE women to wear that headwear by law. In other countries if they don't wear it they are victimised by their own family or community."
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REPLY
55. boog Zilla
"@Babylon Bwoy talk that talk 💯👊"
**
56. U N V Me
"WHAT??? Lyrics I can actually understand a beat I can truly vibe to???? So rare in 2019."
**
57. southernivyrx
"creoleDJ 100% .... this is how hip hop was before corporate outsiders signed and promoted who and what they want OUR music to depict and promote . This is authentic black culture"
**
58. Amru
"As a Sudanese the ending brought tears to my eye's. It's great to see support from our sisters and brothers and from the artists we grew up to. Thank you!"
**
REPLY
59. StephySon
"Stay strong sister, you and Sudan are in our thoughts!"
**
REPLY
60. Use Insight
"Amru Amru Exactly what Stephyson said. We love you!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️🖤🖤💚💚"
**
61. Azizi Powell
"Here's an explanation for these lyrics from Rapsody's "Ibithaj record": “The Hansberry/hands bury the man and they raise the sun, Lorraine
That’s a play on words,”
from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun
" A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959.[1] The title comes from the poem "Harlem" (also known as "A Dream Deferred"[2]) by Langston Hughes. The story tells of a black family's experiences in south Chicago, as they attempt to improve their financial circumstances with an insurance payout following the death of the father. The New York Drama Critics' Circle named it the best play of 1959."...
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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.
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