rysque@rysque.com | Email Me!
Rysque, a Texas native, has a varied list of credits to her moniker, including actress/songwriter/producer and performer. She made her arrival into the industry in 1994 as a writer for Sing-a-Lot Records (Rap-a-Lot R&B division) while working with a number of upcoming artists in Houston. Rysque worked with groups who later signed major deals, among which were Nasty and Another Level.
While working for Sing-a-Lot, Rysque freelanced as an actress in the Texas area and scouted artists for her production company, K.O.D.A. Rysque made so many moves during the late nineties, VIBE Magazine coined her "Houston's local hotshot".
But there is nothing local about Rysque or her vision and mission in the industry. Rysque, a.k.a. Dawn McGhee, worked for Short Stop Records during its rise to platinum sales status and began to cultivate her own independent record label, Archive Records. By the end of 2001, Rysque had written and produced the Peep Show Soundtrack and its eyebrow-raising accompanying film, Peep Show: A Freak's Dream. She received rave laudits for both music and the film, as reviewed by All Music Guide, Black Tail Magazine, Ass Quest Magazine, VIBE Magazine, AVN (Adult Video Network), and Hustler.
Currently Rysque is not officially promoting Peep Show, but it does continue to sell across the United States, Japan, Australia and the U.K. Rysque wrote another film and its accompanying soundtrack, Behind the Life, then expanded her score to incorporate other genres of music including her rock band Chamber Katz; country music, R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop and Jazz.
Rysque is on a mission to expand her abilities as both writer and producer for all genres of music, and currently is writing song selections for a Gospel venture.
The "Madam of Hip Hop" will release her final solo project, but the dates have not been scheduled. She is currently working on a collaboration with political prisoner Sundiata Acoli for his soon-to-be-released biopic, under her film company, River Jor-Dawn.
Rysque is a solo performer. However when she is not performing, Dawn McGhee collaborates with many musicians and artists. Some of the musical heroes she has worked with on various levels include ADAK Productions (Mysti Day -- "my blood", Eban Kelly -- "my teacher", Juancipana Knight -- "my silent friend"), Butchie Boy Productions (Sangin' Clarence, Floyd Bonner, Eddie Buttermilk Guyton), Trendition Music (Lee Williams & Spiritual QCs, Paul Porter, Glen Stevenson, Dwight Gordon and everyone involved in the quartet production unit) and the Camp Wisdom team (Madukwu, Ernie G., Geno Young, Carmen, Jirard, Danielle).
Dawn is ever busy working with her mentor Curt Jones (Slave/Deja/Aurra), Rahsaan Patterson (My Brother), Mmpress (My music companion), Cochisse (My Comrade), and Brian Hargrove (My Brother-In-Law) to name a few.
Though her friends in the industry are vast and influences are immeasureable, she pays homage to artists worldwide and all "real" musicians, i.e. Paul Jackson Jr., Nathan East, Frank McComb (My Big Brother), Glenn "GP" Piper (My Former Composer), Glen Stanridge (Whiskey Slew), David Foster, Hubert Laws (My Business Associate), D'Angelo (My Best Companion), Nathan East, Jerry Peters (Maestro), Chuck Smith, Verdine White, Fred White, Omar (UK), Lewis Taylor (UK), Bernard Wright, Sly & Family Stone Crew (Freddie Stewart, Larry Graham, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson, Rose Stone & Vaetta Stone -- all of 'em), Kenneth Edmunds, Patrice Rushen, Eban Kelly, Carnell Murell, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Billy Preston, Huff & Gamble, Elton John, Johnny Watson, Roy Hargrove (My HS LoverFriend), Louis Johnson, Steve Arrington, George Duke, Paulino Da Costa, John Coltrane, Doobie Powell (My Homie/Brother), Narada Michael Walden (My Crazy Homie), Steve Harvey, Ramsey Lewis, Carl Lott Jr. (My Teacher), Fred Hammond, Ivan Powell, Rev. James Moore, Debra Killings, Jimmy Killings, Don Blackman, Diane Krall, Kenny Chesney, Toriano Jackson, Rod Temperton, Donny Hathaway, Chris Jasper, etc.
I cannot forget the engineers in the industry that really work hard to make music sound good -- Thee Kevin "Most" Jackson (Night Flight in MD), Kevin "KD" Davis (I love you), John "JP" Painter & Jeff (My Kitchen Brahs), Chris Bell (Soon baby).
Rysque also gives one-ups to the "underground-underdogs" like Bettie Page, John Holmes, Johnnie Keyes, Janet Jackme (Nik), Vanessa del Rio, Misty Beetoven, Lil' Ass, Kitten (My God Sister), Mark Davis (My Brother-in-law), Charmaine Starr (My Girl), Monagetois, Mr. Marcus (My Beau in the night), Byron Long, and all adult entertainers in general. There is nothing new under the sun. There is no vice that has not been done!
Much love to trailblazers like Lena Horne, Danny Glover (My most welcomed Comrade, sir), Melvin Van Peebles (My Mentor in the Film Business, yes I have your nuts now), Billie Holiday, Lola Falana, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Sidney Poiter (Thank you for being YOU!), Bill Cosby, Rodney Allen Rippey, Michael Jackson, Ricky Donell Ross (My Homie 'Til The End), James Brown, Jayne Kennedy (My Mentor), Jackie Wilson, Prince, Madonna, Rev. James Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, and Jackie Wilson to name a few.
My Personal Comrades in the Struggle include Sundiata Acoli, Assata Shakur, Ali Bey Hassan, Dhoruba bin Wahad, Robert Boyle, Joan Bird, Afeni Shakur, Jamal Joseph, Shaba Om, Dr. Kinshasha, Elizabeth Fink, Jill S. Elijah, Minister Robert Muhammad, Roger Dove, G. Bone, Cle Sloan, Sekou Odinga, Mutulu Shakur, Abiodun Oyewole, Umar bin Hassan, Cetewayo -- There are not enough words to write to describe how each of you have enriched my life. You are teaching me, guiding me and influencing me. I am blossoming because of your light within me...
"There are many many more people who also affect my inner soul and spirit. If the name is not mentioned here, it is stoned within my heart. Peace."
The Creator has given me a plethora of blessings, among which are those people to come into my life and serve a purpose in shaping and molding me into the woman I am today. Although it would be impossible for me to list each spirit that has touched me in some form or another, I will list some of my most memorable influences. Some of these cats are personal friends, some are business associates, and some penetrated me with song. Opening credits include: Bo$$, CocoBudda (MY BIG RICHARD), Geto Boyz, Queen Latifah, Smooth, Tribe called Quest, The Roots, Pharcyde, Run DMC, Sequence, Kurtis Blow, Funky 4 + 1, Nemesis, Dr. Dre, NWA, Too Short, Choice (MY MENTOR), Slave, Dayton, Marvin Gaye, Isley Brothers, Debbie Allen, Elton John, Kool & the Gang, Every Jackson member, Pete Rock, Jay Dee, D'Angelo (MY SPECIAL FRIEND), Eldra DeBarge (MY BABY), Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Millie Jackson, Hee Haw family, DJ Quik, 2Pac, Millie Jackson, Bahamadia, Tracey Lee, Paris, Public Enemy, Gangstarr, Ill Al Scratch, Rakim & Eric B, Sugarhill Gang, Silk Times Leather, Heatwave, Cameo, John Coltrane, Cher, Lola Falana, Ben Vereen, Spencer Taylor, Mighty Travelers, Paula Kelly, Quincy Jones, George Duke, 2nd II None, Al Green, Rahsaan Patterson, Tony Toni Tone, Manchild, Bar-Kays, Duran Duran, Madonna, BBD, Bernard Wright, Bill Summers, Roy Hargrove, David "Fathead" Newman, Billy Joel, Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield, Breakwater, Chaka Khan, Don Blackman, Con Funk Shun, Deee-Lite, The Supremes, Hubert Laws, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Donna Summer, EW&F, Temptations, Faze-O, Rick James, Gap Band, Prince, Grace Jones, Lee Williams (MY HUSBAND) & the Spiritual QCs, The Christianaires, R. Kelly, Sir Charles, Byron Cage, The Williams Bros., Ricky Dillard, Karen Clark Sheard, James Poyser & AXIS, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Denetria Champ, Aretha Franklin, Guns & Roses, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Lalah Hathaway, Level 42, Lenny Kravitz, Lil' Louis, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Doobie Brothers, Michael Henderson, Natalie Cole, Nate Dogg, PM Dawn, Ray Parker, Jr., Roy Ayers, Silk, Sleepy Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, Soundgarden, Stevie Wonder, The Police, The Sylvers, Average White Band, The Doors, Four Tops, Monkees, Vanessa Williams...
Each group and/or person mentioned has affected me as a person, artist, entertainer and performer.
Unquestionable influences are Malcolm X, Black Panthers, BLA, Sojourner Truth... Bishop T.D. Jakes, Reverend Ike and Bishop Floyd Flake.
I have to send serious shout outs to my friends on lockdown: Ricky D. Ross (Til the End), Al Graves (No Walls will tumble us down), Van Brett Percy Watkins, Sr. (Always there for me), Michael Kennedy (Hope the system releases ya boy), and those who write me and I give words of wisdom. Stay strong and bonded. Keep arms!!!
I have the testosterone of: Too Short, Issac Hayes, Barry White...
I am likened to: Queen Latifah, Lil' Kim, Millie Jackson...
However, I have been coined: The Madam of Hip-Hop.
I like to think that I am the complete senses: a prism to your eyes, crescendos to your ears, sweet nectar to your mouth, apple pie to your nose, and silk to the touch.
Without going into a long detail of events, I work with some of the top groups in all genres of music. I have over 10 years in the business. I am currently working 2 film projects and the overseeing the music on both.
Hello RYSQUE Thank you for being a positive force in this world. Music is one of the few things left that still has the power to bring people from different cultures in harmony. Always feel free to contact me.
It's my pleasure luv...A woman as tantalyzing and exotic as you are is a truly rare coincidence and sight to be treasured. If you come to New Orleans, please think of me and look me up.
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