HipHopDX Premiere – During the UnderCover Presents’ A Tribute To A Tribe Called Quest event in San Francisco earlier this year, Oakland MC/singer RyanNicole nearly stole the show with her effortless rhyming style and powerful on-stage presence.
2x-GRAMMY®/Latin Grammy recognized producer, songwriter and artist Starita — who’s worked with artists such as Childish Gambino and A Tribe Called Quest — knows this. So naturally, he recruited the explosive talent for his new single, “Human.”
The Hip Hop/Tech House hybrid bursts with a sharp uniqueness, simultaneously delivering plenty heart and soul.
“This track is especially relevant in this divisive time with the most divisive rhetoric,” RyanNicole tells HipHopDX. “It’s a reminder that despite the stark differences, we are all the same. The song comes through me and emerges from the beat.
“As an activist, black woman and Oaklander, I can identify with this track. Everyone can connect as humans.”
The Queen Everything, as she’s sometimes called, isn’t afraid to take risks and step outside the Hip Hop box.
“I accept opportunities like making this track because it allows me to challenge and stretch myself,” she says. “Through my work, I hope to inspire others to explore; believing that Spirit is leading us and to not living in a box. TRY! LIVE! This collaboration is an example me working with a producer that people wouldn’t normally see me with.
“Having worked with Starita on the last UnderCover project, I personally witnessed his talent, respect for the creative process and openness to doing things differently. I wanted to continue this collaboration as he pushes artists to do things that are out their comfort zone. And I value these creatively challenging experiences. The list artists he’s worked with is impressive. I want to be a part his A-list collaborators.”
Starita jumped at the opportunity to work with RyanNicole. He’s also a fan the song’s message.
“This song speaks to what it means to be human, to be ok with the range our existence — the dark with the light, high with low, left and right,” Starita explains. “And more importantly, to realize the oneness it all.
“If we could, just for a moment, live in awareness, we would realize that we too are all part this whole and together as one family.”
Starita adds, “I’ve stopped forcing making music and instead let myself be guided by the message the song and in a way, channel the spirit the song conveys through sound. My process is usually to take a simple rhythm and melody and make it expand, grow, evolve into something massive; a complex soundscape.
“Using classical elements/instruments and incorporating it with electronic music, allows me to take the listener on a musical and emotional journey and tell the story sonically.”
“Human” is fourth track Starita has released as a solo artist following “Rules” with ATCQ’s Jarobi, “Lights On” with Trevor Hall and “The One” with Trent Park.
Check out “Human” up top.