Shareefa, Cry No More | Rap BNGRZ 🔥

In the 23^rd edition of Rap BNGRZ 🔥 (2023), we break down the banger status of “Cry No More,” performed by Shareefa.

Bring on the braggadocio, drip, sex, and kicka$$ery, WOO! You’ve entered Rap BNGRZ 🔥 territory! On Rap BNGRZ 🔥 (bangers being the proper spelling), the premise is simple. Rap BNGRZ provides background info and commentary on cocky, confident, ferocious hip-hop/rap songs. The bangers can be brand-spanking-new or certified classics. In the 23^rd edition of Rap BNGRZ 🔥 (2023), we break down the banger status of 🎵 “Cry No More” performed by 🎙 Shareefa.

“I just can’t cry no more ‘cause I’m over you.” WOO! 🎙 Shareefa (Shareefa Cooper) is done crying and done with the BS on 🎵 “Cry No More”. “Cry No More” graces Cooper’s one and only album to date (😢), 💿 Point of No Return, which was released in 2006.  Giving this hip-hop/hip-hop soul track a boost is a marvelous sample of 🎙 The Stylistics’ 1974 song, 🎵 “The Miracle”.  Besides the terrific choice of sample, producer extraordinaire 🎛 Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins stitches up a stellar backdrop for Shareefa to sing upon.  The syncopation, carried by the beat and programming is one of the best features of the production.

So, what has Shareefa crying foul, or rather, ceasing the tears? This lowdown, no good man – ugh, it’s always a man, isn’t it! “Can’t be playing games with you / Because the craziness come with you and I just hate it,” she asserts in the first verse.  Furthermore, his added mess only triggers are rough past: “You’ll never stop to think about all hardship that I done seen / People shot in front of me.” No need for additional trauma! In the second verse, she makes it clear, “You don’t deserve me, shut your mouth / Save the talk, I’m out.” Say that, girl! The bridge offers a fantastic change of pace musically yet maintains the same attitude and tenor lyrically.  Perhaps the lyric of the song hail from this section:

“I could never be the sucker woman who scorn

I’ve been fighting heavy since the day I was born

‘Cause baby girl’s a rider, I’m a soul survivor.”

Shareefa is CLEARLY making the right choice on 🎵 “Cry No More” – let this man go! Sure, it’s technically an R&B joint, but man, oh, man, is it a banger that deserved far more attention, much like Shareefa did in 2006.

🎙 Shareefa • 💿 Point of No Return • 🏷 DTP • 🗓 2006

Shareefa, “Cry No More”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 No. 23 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; DTP; cottonbro studio via Pexels]