REAL NAME: Rita Jackson

HOMETOWN: Chicago, IL

BIO: Holdin’ it down for Chicago, Rita Jackson exhibits a hip-hop charisma that makes you want to listen. Rita speaks with integrity and exhales hip-hop with every breath. Her graceful deliveries of uplifting raps have been a huge part of her success.

Rita J. is a fresh young talent from Chicago, IL. Her intelligent, positive raps have been a huge part of her success. Her sense of style is natural, funky, and raw, in her petite frame Rita J. over exceeds people’s general expectations.

Upon her return from college Rita was introduced to the independent label All Natural Inc. of which she’s been a member since early 2002. She has been featured on numerous compilations and label mate projects over the years.

"Artist Workshop" her solo effort was released last November. “Artist Workshop” has already been released in Japan and is doing well overseas and 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 Digable Planets, J-Live, Jungle Brothers, Stacy Epps, DJ Spinna, Stahhr, 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, where it all began. She cites Nas, Black Thought, MC Lyte and Buckshot as some of her main influences growing up. 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. Shortly thereafter, fortunate connections placed her in a position to record and distribute her music independently.

She has now been actively pursuing the microphone for ten years. “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. 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 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, directed by Sonali Aggerwal. She is also featured in an upcoming film (2010) 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 endeavors in the future. She wants to be a representation of ever-changing style, grace and skill. Her reflection and contributions will open people’s 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 stays true to the culture and craft she represents.

Hip Hop is her everyday life.