Set
apart as a creative music master-mind, Octavia Harris proves
the key to an artists longevity and continued relevance in contemporary
music is a combination of versatility and the ability to convey
the ever-fluid interests of today's youth. She evolved from
being the tough-talking pioneer of Portland's underground hip-
hop scene (as "151") to "Jymini" -one of
the West Coast's most highly respected female lyricists/producers.
In
1994, she debuted on the growing Portland rap scene with the
tape "Drank, No Chasa". By now she was "151"
aka Octavia, the Mic Strangla, a razor-sharp word smith with
beats and flow that shook the city's most respected male and
female MCs. The tape became an instant classic. In 1999, long
before Kanye West was honored with a Grammy award for the religious-themed
"Jesus walks", Harris released "Walking On Water"
-an ambitious double CD that explored social and spiritual issues
that were yet to be addressed by the hip hop community. The
incredibly talented youngster displayed a creative genius at
an early age. She taught herself to play piano (from watching
musicians), sang in the school choir and would astound her teachers
with poems & compositions that rang with vision and maturity.
After defying
expectations with the groundbreaking "Walking on Water",
Octavia moved to Oakland, CA. Her production skills were now widely
known and she quickly became an even hotter name on the independent
rap scene. She released a compilation CD and 2002's "The Solo
Child" which featured some of the Bay area rap's biggest names
(Suga-T, Agerman of 3xKrazy and Assassin).
She
then relocated to Long Beach, CA. where she continued to be
a popular live performer, opening for Montell Jordan, Spearhead
& others. She's amassed an impressive list of credits appearing
on compilations and producing/performing on soundtracks for
film, animated DVD and internet PC games. She took over for
Queen Latifah as guest MC on Meredith Brooks "Lay Down"
(Z100's last chance summer dance) and
makes a special appearance on Myra's "Quit Chasin Me".
After
establishing herself as a premier artist and creative force
with her "All of Me" release, Octavia Harris has come
full circle. Like the decision to drop aliases and use her beautiful
birth name. She gave her life to the Lord in July 2005
and shortly after released the "Inspired
By God" CD (2005) which
is full of sincerity and honesty. This project stands as a bold
testimony of her rejuvenated sense of purpose and her determination
to use rap music as a motivating force in the lives of people
all across the globe.
Since
her transformation, she's released:
"Inspired By God" CD
(2005), "4
The Children" (2006), "The
FREE Octavia Harris Mixtape" (2007), &
"Radical Sabbatical"
(2008) where she loses
only the aliases but retains all the qualities that made her
a local legend. The tales of street life and themes that resonate
with listeners of all ages are benefited by her quest for spirituality
and understanding. Tunes like "God in U" and "What
it Iz" move the feet and have knowledge for the head. Her
message is clear: give people life music.
Always
the innovator, she is a step ahead with promotional plans that
include outreach opportunities, youth events, clubs and international
platforms to promote God's Love. As a visionary, entrepreneur
and producer, Octavia Harris has overcome many obstacles. As
a witness to the human condition, she's used her talent to seek
solutions. She is one of the genre's shining lights and looks
forward to once again expanding the horizon for her old fans
and welcoming the new ones from the spiritual community.
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