Grime, Silk & Thunder is poised to repeat Ultra’s previous success, albeit this time on her own terms. It’s the first release under her own label, Blufire Records, and allowed the artist the full scope of creativity (and responsibility) possible: “I’ve always been a songwriter and I’ve always done a lot of my own arrangements and stuff like that,” she says. But this release is different. “From the nuts and bolts up,” is how she describes her involvement in its production. “Every facet down to paying people… the artwork… everything you will see or hear that has to do with this record, I’m behind it. Which is absolutely nuts! It’s so monumental!” It’s also a huge risk, financially and creatively. “We always want the records bought,” she jokes. “But we REALLY want this one!”

Doing it on her own may have been a daunting task, but it also provides potential for great reward: “That’s why hip hop is so relevant,” Ultra says of a genre that is home to large number of independent, self-promoting artists. “ Those kids have been investing their own coins.” She laughs, and adds “Some of them not legally… and it’s a little bit easier to invest your money when you’re not making it honestly.”

But Ultra’s latest album is simply the product of hard work and musical devotion: “Through the sweat of our brow, we’ve invested our own money to make it happen. It’s the real deal,” she says.

Hmm… certainly sounds like the ingredients of success:

Grime

Silk

Thunder...

            … and some dance floor Sweat.

Diva Divo • copyright 2007 • kurtmalecdesigns.com