Biography of Octavia Harris

Like hip-hop greats Queen Latifah, LL Cool J and Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Octavia Harris proves the key to an artists longevity and continued relevance in contemporary music is a combination of versatility and the ability to convey the ever-fluid interests of today's youth. She evolved from being the tough-talking pioneer of Portland's underground hip- hop scene (as "151") to "Jymini" -one of the West Coast's most highly respected female lyricists/producers.

In 1994, she debuted on the growing Portland rap scene with the tape "Drank, No Chasa". By now she was "151" aka Octavia, the Mic Strangla, a razor-sharp word smith with beats and flow that shook the city's most respected male and female MCs. The tape became an instant classic. In 1999, long before Kanye West was honored with a Grammy award for the religious-themed "Jesus walks", Harris released "Walking On Water" -an ambitious double CD that explored social and spiritual issues that were yet to be addressed by the hip hop community. The incredibly talented youngster displayed a creative genius at an early age. She taught herself to play piano (from watching musicians), sang in the school choir and would astound her teachers with poems & compositions that rang with vision and maturity.

After defying expectations with the groundbreaking "Walking on Water", Octavia moved to Oakland, CA. Her production skills were now widely known and she quickly became an even hotter name on the independent rap scene. She released a compilation CD and 2002's "The Solo Child" which featured some of the Bay area rap's biggest names (Suga-T, Agerman of 3xKrazy and Assassin).

She then relocated to Long Beach, CA. where she continued to be a popular live performer, opening for Montell Jordan, Spearhead & others. She's amassed an impressive list of credits appearing on compilations and producing/performing on soundtracks for film, animated DVD and internet PC games. She took over for Queen Latifah as guest MC on Meredith Brooks "Lay Down" (Z100's last chance summer dance) and makes a special appearance on Myra's "Quit Chasin Me".

After establishing herself as a premier artist and creative force with her "All of Me" release, Octavia Harris has come full circle. Like the decision to drop aliases and use her beautiful birth name. She gave her life to the Lord in July 2005 and shortly after released the "Inspired By God" CD (2005) which is full of sincerity and honesty. This project stands as a bold testimony of her rejuvenated sense of purpose and her determination to use rap music as a motivating force in the lives of people all across the globe.

Since her transformation, she's released: "4 The Children" (2006), "The FREE Octavia Harris Mixtape" (2007), & "Radical Sabbatical" (2008) where she loses only the aliases but retains all the qualities that made her a local legend. The tales of street life and themes that resonate with listeners of all ages are benefited by her quest for spirituality and understanding. Tunes like "God in U"and "Make U a Star" move the feet and have knowledge for the head. Her message is clear: give the youth something more.

Always the innovator, she is a step ahead with promotional plans that include outreach opportunities, youth events, clubs and international platforms to promote God's Love. As a rap pioneer, entrepreneur and producer, Octavia Harris has overcome many obstacles. As a witness to the human condition, she's used her talent to seek solutions. She is one of the genre's shining lights and looks forward to once again expanding the horizon for her old fans and welcoming the new ones from the spiritual community.

Other Octavia Harris ministries:

CFRN Christian Female Rap Network
Octavia is the Founder/Visionary for The Christian Female Rap Network. CFRN is an inspirational support system and resource for female's worldwide. Rap is the main focus however, CFRN open to the following:

Female DJ's
Female Producers
Female Singers (Urban Style)
Female Poets/Spoken Word Artists
Female Writers
Female Radio Hosts & On-Air Personalities
Female Ministers/Evangelists
The Christian Female Rap Network (CFRN) is more than just females who love God and like to rap. This network is about showing our transparency in order to bring healing to others. Everyone has a testimony of deliverance that can help someone else. Whether it's freedom from depression, lust, homosexuality, pride, self-esteem issues, drug addiction.. or anything else females go through...we want to be a platform where sistas can be open (without a feeling of judgement) and learn how to walk in their freedom. One common language to speak the real and guide others toward Gods love and light happens to be music, and that's what we're using!
www.thecfrn.com | zone.thecfrn.com or www.myspace.com/thecfrn

Da CFRN Buzz
Octavia is a Radio Personality for da CFRN Buzz which is a monthly Pod cast on Flavor Radio Network. It gives you hot Christian Female Rap/R&B music, and a recap of the CFRN newsletter. www.thecfrn.com/buzz.htm

Beats by Octavia
Octavia Harris produces professional beats for all your new projects! Whether you're a rapper, singer, spoken word artist, or looking for the perfect music to put behind your next film or DVD, You've come to the right place! BBO has creative beats 4 creative artists! http://www.octaviaharris.com/bbo

Help & Info Guide 4 HOT Rappers/Singers!
Octavia put together a 50 page ebook which gives artists hundreds of tools and resources needed to advance their careers. Based on her 10 plus years of experience as an independent artist, she uncovers important tips that have helped her become knowledgeable about music business and ministry. http://www.octaviaharris.com/newguide.htm

Other skills:
Web design, Recording/Mixing,Marketing, Promotions, Event Planning.

Contact info:
Octavia Harris
www.octaviaharris.com or
http://myspace.com/octaviaharris
(971) 255-1757
info@octaviaharris.com