Noname

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Noname recently released her latest full-length album Sundial to both critical acclaim and a healthy amount of criticism due to a guest feature whose verses some viewed as antisemitic. Noname took to her Instagram Story feed to inform critics that she has no intention of apologizing for having Jay Electronica on the track “Balloons” despite the uproar.
Noname, who has made strides as an outspoken critic of white supremacy and promoting literacy, took to Instagram to address those who found issues with Jay Electronica’s verse on “Balloons,” which many described as antisemitic.

From “Balloons” (Jay Electronica verse):
Face to face I bet nary a devil would test me
And some f*ckboy eighty-fiver come run up and press me
It’s all a hoax, quite simple, a joke like Zelenskyy
The imams, the rabbis, and the Pope, incidentally
Couldn’t stop my boca from quotin’ quotes from the senseis
If anybody asks, tell ’em Farrakhan sent me

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Considering that Nation of Islam leader Min. Louis Farrakhan has aimed fiery barbs at Jewish peoples in the past, and Electonica’s “Synagogue of Satan” line from “The Ghost of Soulja Slim” track from his album, A Written Testimony, the New Orleans rapper’s appearance on Noname’s album was primed for this manner of outcry.
Noname spoke directly to those not in favor, as we’ll share below:
Here’s the truth. I am not antisemitic. I don’t hate groups of people. I am against white supremacy, which is a global system that privileges people who identify as white. I’ve been clear about this for years.
I’m not going to apologize for a verse I didn’t write. I’m not going to apologize for including it on my album. If you feel like I’m wrong for including that’s fair. Don’t listen. Unfollow and support all the other amazing rappers putting out dope music. Your disappointment truly means absolutely nothing to me, and I say that with love.
Sundial is available now across several DSPs.
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Photo: Rick Kern / Getty

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Noname often gets more notoriety these days over her political stances instead of her formidable music catalog, which is reportedly expanding at a later date. However, Noname bristled at online foes challenging her decision to include Jay Electronica on a single for the upcoming studio album.
Noname teased the release of “Balloons,” featuring the talents of Jay Electronica and R&B singer Eryn Allen Kane. The single is assumed to be the first from Noname’s upcoming studio album, Sundial. It does appear that due to the blistering criticism Noname faced after announcing the track is aimed at her rapping counterpart over what some perceive to be antisemitic views.

Noname came to Electronica’s defense in a retort to fans who questioned the creative decision and labeled Electronica as delivering hateful thoughts against Jewish people.
An example of this came in the form of fans quote-tweeting a screen-shotted image of Noname saying to a fan that the album could be shelved, something she did with the previously announced Factory Baby.

“N*ggas legit rap about actual murder and sexual assault that they commit in real life and y’all can’t take a jay elect verse?” Noname fired back at a fan.
She continued to engage fans on her decision, ultimately leading her to delete the entire Twitter account, but not before screengrabs of her replies to fans were obtained.
Sundial was slated to be released on July 21.
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Photo: Scott Dudelson / Getty

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