Her name is the perfect representation of her – Cultural, Artistic, Spiritual, Soul Sista! Rize representing ascension and elevation, and Rahnda in Kiswahili meaning to come forth, to dance and to show off; this Philadelphia Pa native has been showing off her talents almost since inception. Hailing from the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection, the birthplace of Neo Soul and the city that gave America the Sound of Philadelphia, Rize represents the soul of the city to the fullest.

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As a young girl growing up in the West Oaklane and Gtown sections of Philly, she was surrounded by a loving, supportive family and nurtured by creative, revolutionary, service oriented parents. Since the tender age of seven years old, Rahnda has been deeply immersed in the arts. Coming from a singing family, her love of music is deeply rooted. Her grandmother was a vocalist who sang with legendary Philadelphia gospel singers of her time, and her aunts and uncles who had voices comparable to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke etc, sang everything from gospel to jazz music. They were members of the Philadelphia gospel group The Page Gospel Singers as well as their own group, The Holman Gospel Singers. So it was inevitable that the gift of music would be passed down. Her parents recognized her gifts and prepared her for destiny by signing her up for her church’s youth choir and putting her in dancing school where she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, African and Modern dance. For such a young person she had strength in her voice, movement and personality that has carried with her to the present day. She recognized her passion and life’s calling at an early age and knew that music and the performing arts would be her life’s work.

 

She started dabbling in songwriting and poetry in high school. When she realized she had a knack for putting lyrics and melodies together her penmanship began to grow. During this time she was involved with several area aspiring singing groups but realized that going solo is what she wanted to do and she began to dive into making music of her own. During her college years Rahnda started developing her stage presence and honing her many talents in dance, theatre and music (performing with various companies in Philly and NYC).  She attended Temple University in Philadelphia. It was there that she would begin to explore and find herself as an artist. Around this time she began frequenting the Philly open mic circuit. The first open mic she performed at was Baptism By Fire, which gave her the confidence to try others, but it was at the famous October Gallery “Panoramic Poetry” event where she would find her voice - on paper and on the mic. From there she went on to perform at other notable Philadelphia venues such as World Café Live, Warmdaddys, the legendary Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, The Blockley and more. Additionally, spinning jazz music as a jazz host & Dj at the NPR affiliate WRTI 90.1 FM greatly influenced her artistry, and increased her passion and desire to continue to pursue her craft.

 

Rize has worked with established music industry musicians, producers and writers, and is utilizing those relationships to lay the foundation for her upcoming music projects, singles and releases. Philadelphia is one of the music capitals of the world, and has always been known as a city that produces great soul singers. Like the ones before her, Rahnda is carrying on the tradition of the “Philly Sound”. Her voice is definitely one that touches the soul, which is reminiscent of the funk of Chaka, the gospel of Aretha & the R&B and Hip Hop of Mary. Rahnda describes her sound and artistry as “a hip-funk bluesy kind of soul", a “Soul Siren shaping sound. Defining rhythm w/a touch of blues. Melodies in all hues. New. Timeless. Classic. In bloom.” Equipped with a diverse arsenal of electrifying talent that is meant to be seen, this Soul Sista is on her way to making her mark in a big way! Ever evolving, she is definitely blooming, blossoming and “on the rise."