Chicago rapper, poet, and activist Noname has returned with her latest single, “Squatter,” featuring DRAM, offering another glimpse into her highly anticipated forthcoming mixtape, Cartoon Radio. The release marks the second preview of the project, arriving nearly a year after its lead single, “Hundred Acres,” and continues to showcase the sharp storytelling and introspective lyricism that have defined her career.
On “Squatter,” Noname transforms an unexpected real-life experience into a vivid narrative. Inspired by an incident that occurred while she was touring overseas, the track recounts returning home to discover that a squatter had moved into her house. Faced with the surreal situation, she ultimately called on a group of friends to help reclaim her home, turning the ordeal into a compelling story delivered with her signature wit, observational detail, and conversational flow.
The single arrives as Noname prepares to embark on a 20-date North American tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of her landmark debut mixtape, Telefone. Following overwhelming demand and multiple sold-out dates, the tour has expanded to include additional performances in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago, giving even more fans the opportunity to revisit the project that introduced her distinctive voice to the hip-hop landscape.
Beyond the anniversary tour, Noname will headline Pitchfork Music Festival London this November, continuing a busy year that also includes the release of Cartoon Radio—her first full project since the critically acclaimed 2023 album Sundial.
While her music continues to evolve, Noname’s impact extends well beyond the stage. Through the Noname Book Club, she has built an international community centered on political education, literature, and social engagement. The organization now hosts in-person meetings across 38 cities throughout Africa, the United States, and the global diaspora, with each chapter gathering at least once a month to discuss works by Black, Indigenous, and other authors of color.
Widely recognized for blending incisive lyricism with jazz-influenced production and thought-provoking social commentary, Noname has earned praise as one of hip-hop’s most important contemporary voices. Rolling Stone has hailed her as one of the best rappers alive, while The New York Times has described her as one of the defining artists of her generation. Although her work often draws comparisons to iconic artists such as Erykah Badu, Nina Simone, and Lauryn Hill, Noname continues to forge a creative identity entirely her own.
Her live performances have become equally celebrated, with appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, and The Late Show, as well as the rare distinction of performing twice on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, an honor shared by only a select group of artists.
Following the universal acclaim of Telefone (2016), Room 25 (2018), and Sundial (2023), “Squatter” further demonstrates Noname’s ability to transform deeply personal experiences into thoughtful, socially resonant storytelling. As anticipation builds for Cartoon Radio, the new single offers another compelling chapter from one of hip-hop’s most distinctive and influential voices.
Noname: Website | Instagram | Noname Book Club