Every year, at the beginning of fall, I go through a revelation. It is a time of self-reflection for me, one where I realize I’m not the same person I was a year ago and so to match this new person, I need to rebrand myself. Rebranding myself can be as complex as changing my wardrobe or as simple as listening to different artists. This is how I came across my spotlight of the week… Noname.
“Fatimah Warner”, better known as “Noname”, is a Chicago-born rapper who got her start in 2010.
Growing up, she led a very sheltered life, spending the majority of her time at her grandparents’ home and her mother’s bookstore. She didn’t really discover music until she was in high school, where she joined a poetry club, YOUMedia Project. At first a hobby, she competed in slams, where she took home top prizes. Shortly after, she was introduced to rap by a fellow member, “Chance the Rapper”.
Her flow is unique, melancholic, and reminiscing on much easier times. A feeling I can relate to, but coming from someone who seems to have made it. Not wanting to conform to any titles that were put on her, she makes music that she feels resonates with her, whether that falls under hip hop, jazz, rap, or neo-soul. She released her first official mixtape “Telefone” in mid-2016, which exemplified her non-conformist attitude towards her craft and herself. This year, her first studio album debuted, entitled “Room 25”. This album shows her unconventionality as well but with the maturity, she once lacked and evolution as a human being.
I’m excited to learn more about her and to continue to listen and take a perspective on what she details in her music. I also highly encourage anyone reading this to listen and support her music as well!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otGhpa8tcoA[/embedyt]
