Zora's Second Album: A Must-Experience Blend of Horror and Revenge Fantasy

BELLAdonna was not the kind of record that Zora initially set out to make.

The 25-year old Minneapolis based rapper and producer dropped her first LP, Z1, in 2022, to widespread critical acclaim. As she started conceptualizing a follow-up, Zora thought she might try to replicate Z1’s success by recording more bad-bitch anthems at the intersection of hip-hop and hyperpop. But an experience of sexual assault at a nightclub the month after releasing Z1 changed the trajectory of her sophomore album. Out January 17 via Get Better, the rapper’s entirely self-written and produced follow-up BELLAdonna eschews empowerment in favor of vengeance and, ultimately, self-actualization.

Conceived as a concept album, BELLAdonna follows a titular trans woman who has been