Chicago-based rapper Brittney Carter, releases Black Sheep EP. The 4-track project brings soul, rap and hip-hop beats while allowing the listener to embrace being the black sheep of the family, embracing life failures and embracing what comes.
The 34-year-old artist who has been releasing music for almost a decade, stays grounded to her art as she raps about her independent music journey, her faith and even the continued injustices happening in the United States.
From the first track, “pinksweater,” Carter makes it clear she may feel like an outcast and despite the outside pressures and critics, she always ends up at the top without letting anything or anyone phase her. “But it’s so embarrassing how they talking down up on me just to watch me flex again . . . still the same old B, same old crew, still low-key, but it ain’t the same old fee. I can’t afford to go backwards. We got plenty options so it’s feeling disrespectful when they passing around them backwoods.” The track features vocals from Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter D. Lylez who is also from Chicago. At the end of the track, she raps about her music growth and crafting her sound.
In the music video Carter is seen cooking in her house, as the viewer sees her in her real state and doing her everyday tasks.
For an artist who has been making music for years, you would think Carter would be at the Grammys or in the top music charts, but she is open in having the freedom to create what she wants and not signing to something that restricts her creativity. Carter only cares to keep real creatives around her that allow her to write lyrics and make the art that lifts peoples souls, which is clear in the second track, ”doit4less” with lyrics , “I was focused on a show and they was focused on likes. That’s what sets me apart. That’s wha got me this high. Few real ones on my team and they want me to pop. . . we stay blessed they talking tough, but we don’t feel no threats . . . If it ain’t beneficial baby that’s a loss.” She isn’t desperate for the likes and is only focused in rapping for anyone who is wiling to listen. The track is accompanied by drum beats, bass and violins.
These instrumentals carry on in the next track, “urgency” where she makes it clear to her haters that rather than beefing with them, she will simply pray and continue to hear her name everywhere they are. She doesn’t have to prove anything, as she raps, “We done been through hell and back with the scars to match a heavens gate. And we trying to break the latch. Let us through talk to God like you know these blessing really overdue… and I am not the the type to prove to anyone that I’m heaven-sent. I’m not the type to sell my soul for pennies, hundreds or no fifties. Look around all a budget in them titties.” Carter expresses her self honestly and everything she is striving for in life is urgent. She only wants to make sure that those who build with her are of good service to the right vision and purpose. If they aren’t moving with no urgency, then they can go away.
The EP ends with, “untitled,” where Carter raps about the repeated history of racism and injustices in America. She knows that she can’t solve these issues on her own, but at least she can give listeners a wake up call through her music. “All I hear is cries from the streets, cries from the youth . . . All I wanna say is that they ain’t playing fair. Take the money out the ghettos cause they don’t really care. Still getting hung in America. We don’t get no love, fuck America,” these lyrics are sung alongside tambourines and choir singers.
If you feel like a black sheep, this is the perfect EP and it allows the listener to put on headphones and block out the noises and sounds from the chaotic occurrences of the world and a momentary break from the cries of help we hear everyday.
Carter is set to open for American alternative r&b band MoonChild at their U.S. tour starting in March.
Keep up with Brittney Carter:
