Dina Rae

After years of lending her artistic talents to enhance other artists’ projects, Dina Rae is charging forth to promote her long-awaited solo career. At first encounter you may be caught off guard by Dina Rae’s style. It’s not soul as we define it today nor is it traditional R&B.; The distinctive musical style of Dina Rae is the product of her diverse upbringing and embracement of an assortment of musical genres acquired while growing up in Los Angeles, California. Beginning in the early days of her youth, Dina Rae indulged in the melodic harmonies of soul music crooners and songstresses. As music evolved and the influx of rap and hip-hop permeated the airwaves Dina Rae recognized the infinite possibilities in blending the two genres. She immediately gravitated toward the deep drum beats and lyrical poetry of emcees and soon found herself singing alongside various rappers in unlikely collaborations. Shying away from methodical combinations, Dina Rae embraces an innovative, edgy and sexy style as she laces soulful R&B; melodies over intense rap and hip-hop tracks. Shortly after making a splash on Eminem’s first album The Slim Shady LP with the club hit “Cum on Everybody,” Eminem knew he wanted her on his next album. “Dina Rae is the only artist we’ve ever worked with where we’d give her a track – no lyrics, no melody – and she’d come back a day later with an amazing piece of music,” says producer Mark Bass. After Eminem's sophomore album The Marshall Mathers LP was being played like wildfire, and “Drug Ballad” – a hit on which she’s featured charted on Billboard Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks despite not ever being released as a single, Dina Rae began to attract more attention. Soon afterwards, Eminem called her back for D12’s Devil’s Night and his latest release The Eminem Show, where she is featured on the single “Superman.” Following the formula of choice, Dina Rae appears on track 13 on all four multi-platinum selling albums. Although Dina Rae remains appreciative of the opportunities awarded her, she wants to make sure people know that her abilities extend beyond the confinements of a featured artist. From singing with D12, Eminem, The Pharcyde, Ras Kass, and The South Central Cartel, as well as assisting in the production and writing of songs, to being a featured choreographer at the House of Blues Choreographer’s Ball, she has truly covered all bases. It should be of no surprise if her face looks familiar. She has been a featured dancer in a number of music videos including Dr. Dre’s “Been There, Done That,” Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It;” and in her early teens, she appeared on NBC’s Name Your Adventure, where she choreographed a routine for Janet Jackson’s dancers alongside the distinguished Tina Landon. In summer 2002 Dina Rae embarked upon a pivotal professional endeavor as she took center stage on The Anger Management Tour to accompany her longtime collaborator and tour headliner, Eminem. Night after night she continued to deliver standout performances accompanying him on the tracks Superman and Drug Ballad. Her performances in front of sold-out audiences generated accolades from industry insiders as she added vocal gloss to the all rap and rock lineup. Careful not to be blinded by the magnitude of the tour she kept working throughout and recorded a track for Rass Kass’s forthcoming album Golden Chyld, where she appears on a Dr. Dre produced track featuring Busta Rhymes. While the industry begins to take notice and the buzz surrounding her talents increases Dina Rae remains humbly eager. As she begins the transition from featured artist to solo vocalist one element remains certain, Dina Rae’s inimitably melodic singing and inventive lyrics will keep calling you to her Motown Recordings solo debut.