| Ursula
Rucker
Performance Poet and Recording
Artist
 Poet,
performance and recording artist, Ursula Rucker is recognized as one
of the premiere spoken word recording artists in the music industry
today. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Rucker began documenting
her observations of the world when she was just a girl.
A graduate of Temple University's journalism
program, she kept her creative writing as a prized, personal
possession until she was prepared to share her gift with the world.
In 1994, Rucker introduced an open-mic night audience at
Philadelphia's Zanzibar Blue to the beauty and urgency of her
poetry.
Word quickly spread throughout Philadelphia of
her verse and stage performance, which has been described as
"strong, vulnerable, wounded and raging." Producer King
Britt was quick to recognize Rucker's talent and invited her to
create her first recording, the 1994 club classic,
"Supernatural" (Ovum/Slip N Slide UK). According to Britt,
while the original and remixes of "Supernatural" were
celebrated in clubs all over the globe, the most popular version
remains the a capella.
Critics were quick to compare Rucker to
celebrated writers like Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni.
Coincidentally, when Ntozke Shange was unable to provide The Roots
with a contribution to their debut album, "do you want
more?!!?!!" (Geffen, 1994), they called on Rucker to fit the
bill. "The Unlocking," which closed "do you want
more?!!?!!," introduced Rucker to the world of progressive
hip-hop and led to subsequent invitations to close The Roots
follow-up albums "iladelph halflife" (Geffen 1996) and
"things fall apart" (MCA, 1999).
The alluring tales Rucker creates for The
Roots contain subject matter that is motivated by genuine concern
and heightened consciousness. Whether exploring sexual exploitation
as in "The Unlocking" or introducing the lifestyle of a
crack-dealing single mother in "Adventures in Wonderland,"
she provides listeners with an intimate glimpse of urban reality.
Rucker's most recent work illustrates her growth as an artist and
her ability to transcend the bounds of traditional spoken work
recordings. The mermaid-fantasy drive "Circe" from
Guidance Recordings' spoken work compilation Urban Renewal is
demonstrative of her talent as a storyteller and chanteuse.
"SOON," which is featured on Unbound, is an unsettling
portrait of slavery in the United States.
With her multifaceted career in full swing,
2001 will be full of activity. In the coming months Rucker plans to
finish recording for her first album "SUPA SISTA,"
complete a collection of poems for publication and, has work
forthcoming in "Harvard Advocate." In addition to
recording, public performance and writing, Rucker will also provide
narration for the stunning feature length documentary
"VOODOO" directed by award winning photo journalist
Alberto Venzago.
http://www.ursula-rucker.com/index2.html
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Lyceum Series
Fall 2004 - Spring 2005
click on speaker name for more information on speakers
Sept.
15 — Cory Booker
"How To Change The World With Your Bare Hands
"
7:30 pm
The Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
Oct.
6 — Ida Hakim,
C.U.R.E. Founder and Curator
"Caucasians United for Reparations and Emancipation
"
7:30 pm
The Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
Nov.
2 — Francis Bok
7:30 pm
The Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
Nov.
9 — Joyce Appleby, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita, University of California in Los Angeles
Phi Beta Kappa Lecture
“Coming to Terms with Thomas Jefferson”
7:30 pm
The Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
Feb.
2 — Awadagin Pratt, Piano Virtuoso
Piano Recital
7:30 pm
The Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
Feb.
16 — JCSU Faculty Showcase: John Fitch, III
“Maxyme” Film Screening
4:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Newsom Humanities Building Room
March
9 — Dr. Charles L. Blockson
Historian and Curator
A Historian’s Quest: Research Above Ground and Underground
7:30 pm
TBA
March 29 —April 1: 9th Annual World
of Words Poetry Festival
March
29 —Terrence Hayes, Poet and Educator
Workshop
4:00 pm
Humanities 108
Poetry Reading
7:30 pm
Grimes Lounge
March
30 — JCSU Favorite Poems Night
Poetry Reading
7:00 pm
Grimes Lounge
March
31 — Ursula Rucker, Performance Poet and Recording Artist
Workshop
4:00 pm
Humanities 108
Poetry Performance
7:30 pm
Grimes Lounge
April
1 — Black Ink Monks, Inc. of Johnson C. Smith University
Fourth Annual Performance by the Black Ink Monks, Inc.
7:30 pm
Grimes Lounge
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