She’s most comfortable simply calling herself a radical. Some days she believes in anarchy most days she thinks socialism is our best way forward. The political theories she identifies with evolve as she learns. Fatimah’s social media has been an unending trail of revolutionary learning materials and her synthesis of them, from the teachings of Karl Marx to takes on the Cuban embargo to condemnations of LGBTQ persecution in Ghana. It’s hard to name another young musician so critically adored and civically engaged: not stumping-for-Bernie civically engaged, but dedicating-their-lives-and-sacrificing-their-wealth-to-move-the-needle-to-the-left civically engaged. Since January, Fatimah has been building out a library headquarters in L.A. There are 12 local chapters in major cities like Boston, Phoenix, and London. Book-club meetups became online gatherings during the pandemic, but took place in bookstores, libraries, and community centers before it. Mostly, though, she’s spent the past two years spreading the gospel of radical thought through Noname Book Club, a monthly meetup around two texts by writers of color who reckon with inequity.

Lauryn Hill personally sought her out as an opening act.įatimah hasn’t released an album since 2018, though she’s made progress on her next one, Factory Baby, and has been dropping loosies like February’s “Rainforest,” on which she two-steps with anti-capitalism over sultry guitar.

But with her lyrical athleticism, brave storytelling about Black life and death, and ear for organic production, she is one of the most distinct and exciting rappers alive. Cole over their social responsibilities last summer, or when she tweeted that she wished Angela Davis got as much love as Beyoncé and insinuated that the star’s Disney+ film Black Is King is “an African aesthetic draped in capitalism,” sending the Beyhive into a minor furor.Īs a low-key rap sensation who routinely turns down photo shoots and brand deals, Fatimah doesn’t make it easy to put a face to her genius. They may be unaware of the various controversies stemming from her unflinching outspokenness - like when she got into a high-profile war of words with the rapper J. They likely missed Noname on Fallon and Colbert, likely didn’t trek to Coachella to see her perform in 2018. Her new neighbors - kind and elderly - in the historically Black but rapidly gentrifying area have been happy to see a young Black woman claim a lot on their street, but know little else about who lives next door. Fatimah purchased the Leimert Park home after about four years of living in the city, having relocated from her native Chicago.

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