Nas, The Roots, Jill Scott, Portishead, Fiona Apple, Slave, Shalamar, KRS-ONE, MC Lyte, DJ Quik, N.E.R.D., Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Ladybug Mecca, Bahamadia, Pete Rock, Madlib, M.F. DOOM, Bar-Kays, Faith Evans, Tupac Shakur, Kelis, P.J. Harvey, Air, Brandy, AAliyah, Black Moon, Heavy D. and the boys, Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, Eric B. and Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, Kid-n-Play, One Way, De La Soul, Jasmine Guy, Cree Summer, Fat Joe, Mobb Deep, The Streets, Stephanie Mills, Wu-Tang, Common Sense, L.L. Cool J., Big L., LA the Darkman, Whitney Houston, Mike Flo, New Edition, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, J. Davey, Phyllis Hyman, Big Daddy Kane, T.I., Outkast, Janet Jackson, Goodie Mob, Esthero, Floetry, The Jacksons, The Jets, Massive Attack, The White Stripes, Jean Grae, Meshell N'Degeocello, Writer's Block, All Natural, Zap Mama, Stacy Epps, Peven Everett, SWV, Digable Planets, Jay Dee, Slum Village, Tribe Called Quest, Amel Larriuex, Amerie, Dead Prez, Little Brother, MED, Wildchild, Redman, O.C., Jay-Z, Daily Plannet, Smif-n-Wesson, R. Kelly, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, Slave, Lakeside, EMPD, Keith Murray, Kool G. Rap, Res, Debbie Allen, Mommie, Jodeci, Daddie, Raphael Saddiq, 9th Wonder, Eric Robeson, Kev Brown, Chicago House, Busta Rhymes, SA-RA Creative Partners, Nore, AZ, Native Tongues, Pharohe Monch, Eva the Diva, Diane Martel, Lisa Bonet, Ghostface, Massive Attack, Dwele, Goapele, Cam'Ron, Jamiroquai, Les Nubian, Vivian Green, Bjork, Madonna, Brand Nubian, Anita Baker, Public Enemy, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, D'Angelo, Gangstarr, M.I.A., Gwen Stefani, enough for you to know i'm musically cultured!
True Hip-Hop heads can appreciate Rita J's effort & contribution to the Hip-Hop industry. Rita J. is a fresh young talent from Chicago, IL. Her intelligent, positive raps have been a huge part of her success. Upon her return from college she was introduced to the independent label All Natural Inc. of which whom she's been a member since early 2002. She has been featured on numerous compilations and label mate projects over the years. She was part of the collective Family Tree for a few years honing her skills, studying and gearing up for her debut solo album. "Artist Workshop" her solo effort is slated to be released this fall. "Artist Workshop" has already been released in Japan and is highly anticipated for release in the states! It is pure, original Hip-Hop in its truest form.
Organic, raw, soulful, Rita J. has blessed the mic with some notable people in the industry like DJ Spinna, Digable Planets, J-Live, Jungle Brothers, Stacy Epps, Stahhr the Femcee, Black Spade. Her precise, smooth delivery makes for an easy listen. She finesses the tracks as if she's been rhyming since birth. Rita J's most memorable experiences growing up were of her father's music collection of soul, pop, rock, r&b, disco and hip-hop. Rita J. used to sing and dance in her basement as a youth, were it all began. She has been in countless talent shows, showcases, and recitals over the years. She cites Nas, Black Thought, MC Lyte, Buckshot as some of her main influences growing up, the list continues on as genres change. With so many musical genres to vibe to, her favorite form of expression became hip-hop, which she never saw happening until later in college while taking an engineering class. Her passion for creating became more and more apparent and the encouragement of others provided her with confidence. She graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. "Education is very important to me and runs very deep in my family." Shortly thereafter, fortunate connections placed her in a position to record and distribute her music independently. She has now been actively pursuing emceeing for ten years.
She puts her all into her thought process, lyrics and message. "Growing up there was little to no positive female representation besides the greats of MC Lyte and Queen Latifah." She strives to change that void and represent the female emcee that has been rarely seen or heard in the past decade. She wants to be a voice and image of power that everyone can relate to and respect. Her integrity remains in tact, while rocking amongst mostly males in this dominated industry. She shows women their value of self-worth and that they can have both a combination of beauty and skill without being overtly sexual to reach success.
She has always been a traveler and throughout her many journeys she landed in Atlanta, Georgia where she currently resides. She has been exposed to a different scene and audience that has been innovative in her creating new material based upon her latest experiences. Her travels have helped her develop her own unique sound and build relationships with new producers and emcees. Atlanta provides a close-knit sense of community and has been very instrumental to her development. She is heavily involved in the Hip-Hop community in Atlanta. She continues to visit Chicago where the majority of her family still resides to reconnect, perform live shows and record. "I can never forget where I come from, I just have such an urge to travel and gather new perspectives to remain inspired.
She is also very involved in other forms of art such as dance, theatre and production. She has been featured in independent films such as "What Ever Happened To Hip-Hop" alongside KRS-ONE, Nikki Giovanni, Jean Grae, just to name a few. She is also featured in an upcoming film entitled "Pathways" directed by Eljay Williams. Rita J. continues to inspire others with her outstanding talents and common topics, she relates to the everyday hustle as most people do. Her artistry will catapult her further and further into exciting, creative endeavours in the future. She also has her hands in modeling, and fashion. She remains humble and knows her true purpose and gives thanks for her God-given talents.
She wants to be a representation of ever-changing style, grace and skill. Her reflection and contributions will hopefully change and open people's hearts and minds to see things more positively in the current affairs of Hip-Hop. She would like to be respected by her peers and challenge the status quo, continue to work hard and bring dope, hard-hitting grooves that all ages & genres alike can appreciate. She hopes to expand her listeners and do lots more traveling. Her sense of style is natural, funky, and raw, in her petite frame Rita J. over exceeds people's general expectations of her. Good ole Hip-Hop beats and rhymes is what one can expect from this emcee. Whether it be two turntables and a mic on stage or a mac and a mic Rita J. delivers what many can't nowadays. She stays true to the culture and craft she represents. Hip Hop is her everyday life. Rita J. is the breath of fresh air that is much needed in this ever changing culture of Hip-Hop.
Yo Rita, What's good, we from Chicago, Holla if you looking for any free beats, we just finished up some stuff with my friend who souls sings. My brother does the beats and hes only 18.
