With all the talent blossoming out of the Chicago music scene it’s difficult to get a grasp on who the major Windy City players really are. With that said, Noname Gypsy still manages to stand out among the crowded internet highways of Chicago hip hop. Garnering attention from her heartfelt feature on the Chance the Rapper track, “Lost,” Noname has managed to make a name for herself and build a solid following. However, in my opinion, she’s not receiving the attention that her music deserves.
There seems to be a surprising lack of female emcees that receive widespread attention from the public. Of course there are popular artists like Nicki Minaj who maintain frequent radio play, but in the realm of more classical, honest, hip hop – male rappers are largely dominant. Noname Gypsy is breaking into this boys club with a flow that leaves many of her counterparts looking sub-par. She brings an honest sentimentality to her style that deeply resonates with the listener. The 23 year old rapper presents a cohesive personal experience with each verse. In her latest single “Dizzy”, she tackles issues from gun violence to loneliness, but the way it is brought to the listener makes them feel so close to the issues facing the artist. The vulnerability in Noname Gypsy’s music is what sets her most apart – she opens the doors, letting you into her head, feeling what she feels.
Noname proves that you don’t have to rely on shock value to get recognition in this industry; let the music speak for itself. When you put as much as of yourself into your music as Noname Gypsy, people are bound to pay attention.
Considering she has yet to put out an extended release, Noname is doing quite well for herself. She has managed to gain fans from her features on notable tapes such as “Acid Rap” and “The Waters.” She also has close ties with many other rappers in the Chicago area, and collaborations are not uncommon. Pretty much everything Noname Gypsy lends her charm to turns gold. I would strongly recommend perusing through her many verses on Soundcloud. Plus, the wait for a full release may soon be over – she plans to release “Telefone,” her first EP, in the near future. Until then, I’ll keep listening to what is already available, and watch happily as Noname Gypsy helps to further deconstruct the patriarchy of the hip hop world.
Pierce Porterfield hails from the suburban utopia known as Plano, Texas. He strives to do everything and nothing at the same time, as much as he can. He currently studies Business at the University of Missouri.