Spoken word artist and sometimes collaborator with The Roots, Ursula Rucker will be gracing Tamirane with her funky and powerful self on 19 December. Seda Pekçelen finds out what Istanbul means to her, the mark of a real artist, and her guilty pleasure.


You've played in Istanbul before. What do you remember about the city, performance and crowd?
I remember feeling a profound excitement at being in Turkey for the first time. It was such a short while that we were there though...I did not get to see much of the city. But the concert! The people! Amazing and unforgettable! That night, my first night in Istanbul, was truly one of my most memorable experiences. I still talk about it.

You released your last album in 2008. What are your plans for the near future? Do you plan to release a new album in 2010?
Yes. I just finished recording my new album yesterday. It will be my first live, in studio album- very exciting.

How did you feel recording it?
I felt at home. One of my dearest friends, King Britt, executive produced it and released it on his label. It was a dream and pleasure to work on art with someone I love and respect.

Were you pleased with how 'Ruckus Soundsysdom' turned out and what were the reactions like?
I love 'Ruckus'! It came out exactly the way I wanted it to. The reactions have been positive. My last tour in Europe, earlier this year, was a total success. We rocked it!

Your lyrics are like poems and these lyrics have been compared to works by Sonia Sancherz and Nikki Gianno. What inspires you most while writing? Do you write generally when you're sad, or depressed?  
My lyrics aren't 'like' poems; they are poems. I am a poet! This is my life. Everything inspires me. Being conscious and alive inspires me. Wanting to change minds and hearts motivates me. And yes...I have been known to write more when I am sad but this is the plight and gift of the tragic artist (chuckles).

In your poem you talk about politics, womanhood etc. Do you think that making the listeners conscious is the duty of an artist?
It is the duty of a public artist to speak the truth and make 'good' art. It is not every artist's mission to be an activist or changemaker. But...I definitely believe that once one shares his/her art in public spaces/places, that artist has a responsibility to be a manifestation and perpetuator of 'true' art, not bullshit.

If you were the editor of this magazine, which musician/group would be on our cover? And why?
Maxwell. His new album embodies love, passion, artistic quality, music and lyrics and is done at a very high level. It's beautiful, inspiring, refreshing and...it rocks!

What group or act is your guilty pleasure?
DMX!! (chuckles). Really!

What do you like most about being on tour?  
Oh, wow! It's an absolute adrenaline rush. It's hard f***ing work...but the payoff is well worth the effort, and I am not referring to monetary payoff. I mean the thrill of doing what you love, traveling, sharing thoughts and emotion, meeting amazing people etc. It's a true blessing that continues to enrich and change my life every time. I just wish I could bring my sons with me...

Do you remember the first album you bought?
I believe it was the soundtrack to West Side Story, one of my very favorite films. But my first hip-hop album was the Sugar Hill Gang (chuckles).

What's your biggest motivation in life? What do you hold onto?
My sons! God! Peace! Love! Truth!

Thank you!
See you in Istanbul!

*Ursula Rucker will perform at Tamirane December Saturday 19, 2009 @00.00