Noname gave her second Tiny Desk concert, supporting her third album, Sundial. The six-song set includes the premiere of the new song “Kush and Love Songs” with Smino and Saba. Ayoni joins her for “boomboom” which is also from Sundial. She kicked off her album release with a free block party in her Chicago hometown in the summer. The rapper/activist/book club founder opens the show with the superior breath-control labor of “namesake,” and everything is smooth from there. 

Noname has announced her North American Sundial tour. The trek will begin at the Riviera Theater in her Chicago hometown on October 11th.  The tour will stop in more than 10 cities including Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis and Louisville. Spotify presale tickets were available at 10 AM Wednesday, August 23rd and general tickets go on sale Friday, August 25th at 10 AM here.  The rapper just celebrated her third album with a block party in Chicago that was free to the public for all ages. There were bouncy houses, face-paintings, booths for local activists, and Double-Dutch competitions. Noname, Alex Vaughn, Navy Blue, and Common performed at the event. Sundial is Noname’s third studio album and it follows her 2018 Room 25 sophomore album. 

Noname’s Sundial album is out now after a five-year break when she last dropped her Room 25 sophomore album. The opinionated rapper has critical observations on pop culture, beauty standards, black celebrities and relationships. Her sharp eyes see the shortcomings of so many things and she never hesitates to share her feelings unfiltered and free from any worries about “being canceled.” She has already said that she will not apologize for Jay Electronica’s verse on “Balloons” about the Ukraine war being a hoax despite the backlash. In “namesake” she dismisses Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna and Beyoncé for their relationships with the NFL but is self-critical of her own association with Coachella.  When she isn’t calling out hypocrisy she shares her love for Afro-diasporic communities on “gospel?” with a group of guests including billy woods, STOUT and $silkMoney. Her team of producers including Saba, Yussef Dayes and more created a relaxed sonic backdrop with jazz and R&B ideas next to the samples from places like the movie Boomerang.  Noname’s Sundial is imbued with her quirky consciousness that is constantly trying to reconcile the world she sees with the one she wants to exist. It is this desire that ends the album with “Oblivion” featuring Common and Ayoni where Noname reiterates her promise to call out a frail world until it is no more.  

Noname is having a free Sundial block party in Chicago to celebrate the release of her next album. The rapper’s Sundial album comes out on August 11th and the block party happens on August 17th from 3-9 PM. Entry to the party is free with a book donation in collaboration with the Noname Book Club. Sula, Blood In My Eye and titles by Black authors are the suggested titles that will be donated to incarcerated members of the book club. Noname, Navy Blue, Alex Vaughn and surprise guests will perform at the event. DJ Greensliiime and Finding ljeoma will provide DJ sets and there will be refreshments and activities for children. Sundial has guest appearances from Common, Billy Woods, Jay Electronica, Ayoni and more.