Ursula Rucker (b. Philadelphia, PA, USA), grew-up in Philly, where she graduated Temple University’s journalism program. She is of African-American & Italian descent. She had been writing poetry since adolescence - keeping writings to herself - until she read poetry, in 1994, at Zanzibar Blue, Philadelphia (credited as her début). That very same year, Rucker was invited to collaborate with numerous recording artists, and producers including King Britt, 4Hero, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Josh Wink and most notably The Roots. Rucker’s garnered a reputation for unique poetry techniques and stage presence which were described as "strong, vulnerable, wounded and raging".