Since we are ending the month of June, which has been recognized as Black Music Month, I’ll tout some accomplishments of my daughter, artist and author Psalm One.
She was raised in Englewood and graduated from Whitney Young High School in the late 90s and went on to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
She started out at poetry slams at Chopin Theatre on North Milwaukee Avenue, when she wasn’t sneaking across state lines to Indiana as a senior to sharpen her rap skills.
Psalm One has been tenacious in carving out her livelihood, churning out more than a dozen studio albums, while living in parts of California and more recently in Minneapolis.
She is a legend to rap nerds, scholars, and hip hop heads. She has worked with the brightest names in rap, and her work has been celebrated and taught around the globe.
She has told her story from growing up on the South Side in Chicago, through her life as a chemist, a teacher and a legendary rapper in her 2022 memoir titled “Her Word is Bond: Navigating Hip Hop and Relationships in a Culture of Misogyny.”
Locally, she has been interviewed by Chicago journalist Jill Hopkins and held court at Women and Children’s First Bookstore, among others, while touring for her book, which shares Psalm One’s struggles and misogyny hurled at her as the first female artist on Minneapolis, indie record label Rhymesayers. She discusses her sexuality, sobriety journey and triumphant tours within the country and across the globe in Germany, Paris, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland and other exciting destinations.
In her words, regarding the authenticity of her music: “I have a degree in chemistry, I can do a lot of things to take care of myself. So, when it comes to the music, I just want to remain true to my story.”
And lately her music career and community-centered work has caught the eyes of others.
For Women History Month, at the Garfield Park Conservatory, Psalm One was honored by Swank Public Relations and Westside Cultural Alliance with a WEMADE (Women of Excellence Making A Difference Everywhere) award for her contributions for the empowerment and elevation of women in various fields.
Also in March, Chicago Reader audiences voted Psalm One the second best rapper in the city.
As well, Foodsic Instagram ranked her No. 29 out of 150 for best lyricist of the year. This is a page that makes finely curated Spotify playlists for listeners—dedicated to “promoting the best & challenging the rest.” She added that Foodsic recognized Optiks and her latest album “Is This A Safe Space?”
“I was very appreciative to get some flowers while I’m still alive. It’s funny how I just keep my head down and work, and every now and then when I look up, someone has placed blessings in my path,” Psalm One said.
Learn more about Psalm One’s journey by visiting psalmonelovesyou.com.
Elaine Hegwood Bowen, M.S.J., is the Entertainment Editor for the Chicago Crusader. She is a National Newspaper Publishers Association ‘Entertainment Writing’ award winner, contributor to “Rust Belt Chicago” and the author of “Old School Adventures from Englewood: South Side of Chicago.” For info, https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/englewoodelaine/.