Ursula Rucker

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.
           

         Ursula Rucker - Playlist

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 same year, Rucker was invited to collaborate with numerous recording artists, and producers including WAX TAILOR, 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 acappella.

      Ursula Rucker - l.o.v.e.


Rucker's emotion in her work and words, has led some critics to compare her to such celebrated writers as 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. She 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 from 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.

      Ursula Rucker - Poet (Full Movie)

Wife. Mother. Activist. Friend. Discover the power of poet Ursula Rucker in this revealing new documentary portrait. Poet Ursula Rucker is best known for her diverse musical collaborations with King Britt, The Roots and 4Hero. She has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and toured the world countless times. In this half-hour portrait, she performs several of her best-known pieces in an "unplugged" setting, revealing nuances not heard on the original recordings. Through interviews with peers and mentors--including Saul Williams, Sonia Sanchez and Gil-Scott-Heron--we come to appreciate the difference between "spoken word" and "poetry" and trace the path that led Ms. Rucker to become one of the most acclaimed artists of her generation.

      Ursula Rucker - Supa Sista (Unplugged)


      4hero feat. Ursula Rucker - Loveless (live)

 The Unbound Project Volume 1 (2000)
Featuring a stellar cast of progressively minded hip-hop artists, The Unbound Project is dedicated to Philadelphia activist and death-row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal and is conceptually centered on the meaning of freedom. Scenarios range from Reflection Eternal's lively present-day analysis on "The Human Element" to acclaimed Philly spoken-word poet Ursula Rucker (whose words have closed each of the Roots' albums) revisiting the horrors of slavery on the eerily ambient "Soon." With additional contributions from veterans Chuck D and Poor Righteous Teachers, and relative newcomers such as Dead Prez and Talib Kweli (of Black Star and Reflection Eternal), The Unbound Project brings together politically conscious hip-hop artists of different eras, providing evidence of a burgeoning grassroots resurgence. Its primary function, however, is as a compelling critique of U.S. socio-economic conditions and the criminal (in)justice system.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/stor...