Noname Confronts Chicago Politics & Racism in Striking 'Blaxploitation' Video: Watch

Noname released her first-ever music video, for her song “Blaxploitation,” on Tuesday (Dec. 4). 

“Blaxploitation” is a thoughtful track from the rapper’s critically acclaimed debut album Room 25, which was released in September. In the song’s metaphorical music video, a child innocently wanders through a small-scale model of a moonlit city. Newscasts claiming that the city of Chicago is “under siege” from the “monster baby” -- and images of a family’s horror at the child’s appearance in their window -- demonstrates the ways Noname believes the Chicago government has instilled irrational fear in its residents by creating a racist divide. Much like her fellow Chicago native Chance the Rapper, Noname uses her “Blaxploitation” music video to address Chicago’s politics and the deep-rooted racism that continues to plague the city.

The typically private artist also made her late-night television debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Oct. 17, where she performed three songs from the record. Noname will embark on her North American headlining tour beginning in Detroit on Jan. 2 and will play 37 shows across the country. 

Watch the full “Blaxploitation” video below: