|
|
|
Ursula Rucker is a renown poet, songwriter and singer, who has one of the most sensual and beautiful voices in electronica and hip hop music. Her poems are deep and profound, reflecting upon life and it's many mysteries. The lyrics for the song "Circe", that she recorded with King Britt is one of the most haunting songs in electronica music. "Circe" was remixed by Jazzanova in "The Remixes 1997 - 2000". Ursula has just recorded in Jazzanova's latest album. Along her musical career, she has worked with many artists such as The Roots. She released her long awaited debut album "Supa Sista" in September 2001 and is currently working on her follow up artist album with King Britt. It was a pleasure to interview Ursula and to speak with her about her work and her forthcoming projects, including: "Being Black", a collaboration which was inspired by Angel Kyodo Williams. Interview by Mauricio Saravia ARTIST INTERVIEWS: I wanted to ask you about your work in “Being Black”. Ursula Rucker: Actually, I spoke with the author, Angel, over the phone and we discussed what passages of her book meant the most to me. She allowed me to choose the ones that I would read on the CD. This was the first time that I had done work that was not my own. It was an interesting and different experience. It felt kind of strange at first, but I warmed up after a while. I went into the studio and just recorded all of those passages by myself, with no music at all and then later on, they got the producers to record the music and produced the passages that I had read. I didn't work with King Britt or DJ Spooky. My words were just given to various producers. I know King Britt very well, and have worked with him often in the past. I'm actually working with him right now, but I didn't actually work with him in the studio. A.I.: You are working with King Britt right now on a CD? U.R.: Yeah, he's doing a remix of a Yoko Ono song and he asked to do a little piece on that. King is also doing some tracks in my new album. The new album is not going to have all new songs. It's going to be kind of like a retrospective and four new songs A.I.: How did you meet Angel Kyodo Williams and how do you feel about her work? U.R.: I never met her, we only spoke on the phone. I love her book! I think that everyone should read it, not just the black people in America. I think there is a lot of valuable information for surviving and having a spiritual life, if you are interested in that. It helped me through a difficult time last year. They are simple things that you can apply to your life, that get in touch with your spiritual self. The book is very practical and you can apply Angel's books to everyday life.
A.I.: Your lyrics are very spiritual. Which are the feelings that have inspired your lyrics? U.R.: Just life! I know it sounds very cliché. I hate to put the word “just” in front of “life”. There are so many things that happen to you in an hour and much more in an entire life. That's pretty much what I feed of, my everyday experiences, things that I hear around me. Current events. Things that are going on in my neighborhood.If I just use life as a sole inspiration, I can pretty much write for the rest of my life. (Laughs). A.I.: You worked with Jazzanova in the song “In Between”. Are you planning on working with them in the future, Ursula? U.R.: I hope so! I have asked them to do some tracks on my new album, hopefully if they are not too busy, because they are always so busy, they can try to squeeze me into their schedule. A.I.: Being a part of the electronic and underground, do you think hip hop will have a fusion with electronic music. U.R.: I think it already has! lot of the producers are already doing it. I think it should, to keep it fresh. Whether or not, the bigwigs who provide them with the cash are going to think that's marketable is another question. We shall see. A.I.: Being a poet, which poets do you enjoy reading? U.R.: Sonya Sanchez, Ted Joanes. Not everyone has read him. He's kind of obscure, if he ever comes to Denver to do a reading, you should check him out. He's an older cat from the 60's. Those are my primaries. A.I.: What's a day in in the life of Ursula Rucker? U.R.: Well, I'm a mother of three boys, so that's pretty much what I do. I try to create somehow, in the midst of all of that. Being an artist who solely relies on her art for survival, I try to make some money to provide for the family. I also enjoy working with other artists that are doing good things that believe in, such as the integrity of art and communication. I try to keep it fresh and to keep it moving. A.I.: Thank you very much, Ursula! You Can Visit Ursula Rucker's Official Site at: |
|
|
