Ursula Rucker

[2] That same year, Rucker was invited to collaborate with numerous recording artists, and producers including Wax Tailor, King Britt, 4hero, Incognito, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Josh Wink, Alix Perez and most notably The Roots.

[3] Rucker's emotion in her work and words, has led some critics to compare her to such celebrated writers as Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni, describing them as "powerful".

The Unlocking led to subsequent invitations to close The Roots follow-up albums Illadelph Halflife and the certified gold record Things Fall Apart.

Andy Puleston wrote in his review of her album Supa Sista: "Ursula's vocals... is a silken delivery, that like Michael Franti, demonstrates that a quiet word in the ear can speak volumes above the microphone rant".

[5] Paul Sullivan said in his review of her album Silver or Lead: "Ursula's velvety voice...manages to both mollify and add a sinister dimension to the harshness of her subject matter.