Ursula Rucker
Encyclopedia
Ursula Rucker is an American
spoken word
recording artist. Rucker is known for a diverse repertoire, and for utilizing techniques that catch her listeners' attention.
Rucker was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, where she was a graduate of Temple University
’s journalism
program. She is of African-American and Italian descent. Rucker had been writing poetry since adolescence but kept her writings to herself until she read poetry
in 1994, at Philadelphia’s Zanzibar Blue which is credited as her debut.
That very same year, Rucker was invited to collaborate with numerous recording artists, and producers including King Britt
, 4hero, Jamaaladeen Tacuma
, Josh Wink
, Alix Perez
and most notably The Roots
.
Rucker garnered a reputation for unique poetry techniques and stage presence which were described as "strong, vulnerable, wounded and raging". King Britt gave Rucker recognition and invited her to create her first spoken word recording, the 1994 club hit, "Supernatural". Dance music fans and DJ's
quickly appreciated Rucker’s vocals and rhythm, which was described as "mystical". According to Britt, while the original and remixes of Supernatural were continually used in clubs
widespread throughout the United States, internationally, the most popular mix of the song remains the a cappella
.
, describing them as "powerful". Coincidentally, when Ntozake Shange
was unable to supply The Roots with a spoken word contribution for their second album Do You Want More?!!?!!, they called on Rucker to do it instead. The Unlocking led to subsequent invitations to close The Roots follow-up albums Iladelph Halflife and the certified gold record Things Fall Apart
.
In numerous reviews, many critics proclaim the value of Rucker’s work with The Roots, 4hero and other groups. Rucker has had reviews in, URB, Vibe
, XXL
, The Philadelphia Inquirer
, and Straight No Chaser. Rucker has also performed her work at an array of venues, universities and festivals. Among these venues include the Montreal Jazz Festival, the 1999 Winter Music Conference, a performance at Drexel University
and the 2005 Amnesty International Australia Freedom Festival which aimed to raise aware of Amnesty's global "Stop Violence against Women" campaign.
Rucker has toured with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Sylk 130
, and 4Hero in the United States and internationally in Europe. Rucker also has provided a single "Soon for Unbound", which was off a benefit album for convict Mumia Abu-Jamal
. Andy Puleston at bbc.co.uk writes in his review of her album Supa Sista: Ursula's vocals... is a silken delivery, that like Michael Franti
, demonstrates that a quiet word in the ear can speak volumes above the microphone rant. Paul Sullivan also of bbc.co.uk says in his review of her album Silver or Lead: Ursula's velvety voice...manages to both mollify and add a sinister dimension to the harshness of her subject matter.
with 4hero
More extensive discography listings at Discogs.com
Ursula Rucker
, directed by M.K. Asante, Jr. and narrated by Maya Angelou
.
Ursula Rucker: Poet debuted at the 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival. Directed and Edited by Michael J. Dennis, it was originally commissioned as part of WYBE/Mind-TV's "'Philadelphia Stories'" Series.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
recording artist. Rucker is known for a diverse repertoire, and for utilizing techniques that catch her listeners' attention.
Biography
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, where she was a graduate of Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
’s journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
program. She is of African-American and Italian descent. Rucker had been writing poetry since adolescence but kept her writings to herself until she read poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
in 1994, at Philadelphia’s Zanzibar Blue which is credited as her debut.
That very same year, Rucker was invited to collaborate with numerous recording artists, and producers including King Britt
King Britt
King Britt is an American DJ and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.King Britt is his actual legal name.- 1987: Tower Records Years :...
, 4hero, Jamaaladeen Tacuma
Jamaaladeen Tacuma
-External links:*...
, Josh Wink
Josh Wink
Josh Wink is an electronic music DJ, label owner, producer, remixer, and artist. He is a native of Philadelphia, United States. A pioneering DJ in the American rave scene during the early 1990s, Wink was the most prominent exponent of the tribal forms of techno and house in the U.S...
, Alix Perez
Alix Perez
Alix Perez is the stage name of Alix Depauw, a drum and bass DJ and producer originally from Charleroi, Belgium. Currently based in North London, his music is characterised as liquid funk and released on labels such as Hospital Records, Liquid V, Bassbin, Creative Source, Horizons, Progress,...
and most notably The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
.
Rucker garnered a reputation for unique poetry techniques and stage presence which were described as "strong, vulnerable, wounded and raging". King Britt gave Rucker recognition and invited her to create her first spoken word recording, the 1994 club hit, "Supernatural". Dance music fans and DJ's
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
quickly appreciated Rucker’s vocals and rhythm, which was described as "mystical". According to Britt, while the original and remixes of Supernatural were continually used in clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
widespread throughout the United States, internationally, the most popular mix of the song remains the a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
.
Career
Rucker's emotion in her work and words, has led some critics to compare her to celebrated writers like Sonia Sanchez and Nikki GiovanniNikki Giovanni
Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Her primary focus is on the individual and the power one has to make a difference in oneself and in the lives of others. Giovanni’s poetry expresses strong racial pride, respect for family, and her...
, describing them as "powerful". Coincidentally, when Ntozake Shange
Ntozake Shange
Ntozake Shange born October 18, 1948, is an American playwright, and poet. As a self proclaimed black feminist, much of the content of her work addresses issues relating to race and feminism....
was unable to supply The Roots with a spoken word contribution for their second album Do You Want More?!!?!!, they called on Rucker to do it instead. The Unlocking led to subsequent invitations to close The Roots follow-up albums Iladelph Halflife and the certified gold record Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart (album)
Things Fall Apart is the fourth studio album by American hip hop band The Roots, released February 23, 1999 on Geffen Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at Electric Lady Studios during 1997 to 1999, coinciding with recording for other projects of the Soulquarians collective,...
.
In numerous reviews, many critics proclaim the value of Rucker’s work with The Roots, 4hero and other groups. Rucker has had reviews in, URB, Vibe
VIBE
Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers...
, XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
, The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
, and Straight No Chaser. Rucker has also performed her work at an array of venues, universities and festivals. Among these venues include the Montreal Jazz Festival, the 1999 Winter Music Conference, a performance at Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
and the 2005 Amnesty International Australia Freedom Festival which aimed to raise aware of Amnesty's global "Stop Violence against Women" campaign.
Rucker has toured with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Sylk 130
King Britt
King Britt is an American DJ and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.King Britt is his actual legal name.- 1987: Tower Records Years :...
, and 4Hero in the United States and internationally in Europe. Rucker also has provided a single "Soon for Unbound", which was off a benefit album for convict Mumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner and sentenced to death. He has been described as "perhaps the world's best known death-row inmate", and his sentence is one of the most debated today...
. Andy Puleston at bbc.co.uk writes in his review of her album Supa Sista: Ursula's vocals... is a silken delivery, that like Michael Franti
Michael Franti
Michael Franti is an American poet, musician, and composer. He is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock...
, demonstrates that a quiet word in the ear can speak volumes above the microphone rant. Paul Sullivan also of bbc.co.uk says in his review of her album Silver or Lead: Ursula's velvety voice...manages to both mollify and add a sinister dimension to the harshness of her subject matter.
Discography
- Supernatural (Single) (1994)
- Supa Sista (2001)
- Silver or Lead (2003)
- Ma' at Mama (2006)
- Ruckus Soundsysdom (2008)
- She Said (2011)
with 4hero
- "Loveless" on Two PagesTwo PagesTwo Pages is an album by the English band 4hero, which was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1998 . Many cite it as very influential on the broken beat sound emerging around this time....
(1998) - "Time" on Creating PatternsCreating PatternsCreating Patterns is the fourth studio album by the British group 4hero. The album demonstrated a change in direction for the band, with more of a focus on nu-jazz and broken beat styles and less use of the drum and bass style found in the earlier work....
(2001) - "The Awakening" on Play with the ChangesPlay with the ChangesPlay with the Changes is the fifth studio album by the British drum and bass group 4hero.-Track listing:# "Morning Child" – 4:36# "Take My Time" – 4:07# "Look Inside" – 4:06# "Sink or Swim " – 3:50# "Give In" – 4:52...
(2007)
More extensive discography listings at Discogs.com
Ursula Rucker
Film Appearances
She appears in the 2008 film The Black CandleThe Black Candle
The Black Candle is a 2008 documentary film about Kwanzaa directed by M. K. Asante and narrated by Maya Angelou.-Synopsis:The Black Candle uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African-American experience....
, directed by M.K. Asante, Jr. and narrated by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first and most highly...
.
Ursula Rucker: Poet debuted at the 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival. Directed and Edited by Michael J. Dennis, it was originally commissioned as part of WYBE/Mind-TV's "'Philadelphia Stories'" Series.