Ursula Rucker

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ursula Rucker
Alias =


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Background = solo_singer
Origin = Philadelphia, USA
Genre = Hip hop, Electronica
Occupation = Singer, songwriter
Years_active = 1994 - present
Label = Studio !K7
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.ursula-rucker.com http://www.ursula-rucker.com]

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, both of which have brought her critical acclaim and widespread praise from fansFact|date=May 2008.

Biography

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 and most notably The Roots.'Rucker at aalbc.com' - [http://aalbc.com/authors/ursula.htm Ursula Rucker article] URL last accessed on 2006-07-29]

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".

Career

Rucker's emotion in her work and words, has led some critics to compare her to celebrated writers like Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni, 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", "Panache", "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 ‘Ursula Rucker Interview’- [http://shop.amnesty.org.au/freedom/artists/ursula_rucker Ursula Rucker at Amnesty International Australia Freedom Festival] URL last accessed on 2006-07-29] 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 convicted murderer 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". ‘bbc.co.uk’ - [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/urban/reviews/rucker_supa.shtml#review Puleston reviews Supa Sista] URL last accessed on 2006-07-29] 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." ‘bbc.co.uk’ - [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/urban/reviews/rucker_silverorlead.shtml Sullivan reviews Silver or Lead] URL last accessed on 2006-07-29]

Discography

* Supernatural (Single) (1994)
* Supa Sista (2001)
* Silver or Lead (2003)
* Ma' at Mama (2006)

;with 4hero
* "Loveless" on "Two Pages" (1998)
* "Time" on "Creating Patterns" (2001)
* "The Awakening" on "Play with the Changes" (2007)

Film Appearances

She appears in the 2008 film The Black Candle, directed by M.K. Asante, Jr. and narrated by Maya Angelou

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.ursula-rucker.com Ursula-rucker.com]
* [http://flee.com/germany/ursula/index0.html Concert photos at The Fabrik, Hamburg]