This Chicago rapper has been like Batman serving justice to Gotham City at night, only the music industry is her Gotham city. Noname is one of the few rappers I grew to respect out of the 2010 new class of HOP music creators. ‘Sundial’ is her third album and the first full length at sat down with, out of her catalog.

Noname’s style of delivery can almost feel like a caregiver sitting in front of children providing stories. She doesn’t over hype her voice or feel the need to lower it, to attract a male audience. She simply conveys her message in an almost spoken word/rapping package, that is equipped with deeper meaning. ‘Sundial’ is Noname not submitting to any industry standards nor does she care about fake industry relationships. She speaks to what many want to say out loud, but never do or feel cautious they might cross a line. On ‘namesake’ Noname rhymes over a very upbeat track, while speaking on the apathy corporate entertainment creates, but also realizing those same forces can get her to do big festivals like Cochella.

This album might “point fingers” but Noname is very self-aware. ‘Toxic’ has one of the most hammer to nail hooks on the album, with a story of giving all to a relationship, then feeling betrayed. The twist is she realizes that she accepted this behavior, but it all was necessary for both parties to grow. ‘beauty’ is an important conversation on how western world standards dictate what people of color see as “beautiful,” and how this indoctrination makes the same people believe it is actually a standard originated from us.

‘Sundail’ is a release that gives just enough for one to want to replay and understand more of what Noname is conveying. The features are manly vocalist like Jimetta Rose, Ayoni, Voices of Creation, STOUT and Eryn Allen Kane. When features are tapped to rhyme alongside Noname they come with impact, like Common on ‘oblivion,’ ‘$ilkmoney and billy woods on ‘gospel?’ and Jay Electronica on the controversial track ‘balloons.’ The music is handled by a variety of producers such as Saba, but they all manage to make the album sound cohesive and in line with the vibe of Noname. This is a “vibe” that can be considered “anti” or “truthseeking” but the listener should expect to hear real purpose with ‘Sundial.’ What did you think of the album?

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