Vinia A. Mojica (born March 14, 1970) is an American singer from Queens, New York.[1] She is best known for her collaborations with the Native Tongues collective and other hip hop artists.

Vinia Mojica
Background information
Birth nameVinia A. Mojica
Born (1970-03-14) March 14, 1970 (age 54)
Queens, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1989–2003 (active)
2003–present (unknown)
LabelsFruitmeat, Giant Step

Life and career

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Her recording career began in 1989 with the song "Acknowledge Your Own History" from the Jungle Brothers' 1989 album Done by the Forces of Nature. It was the beginning of her association with the Native Tongues Posse — which would produce De La Soul's 1991 hit "A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"" — and continue with A Tribe Called Quest and later with its second generation of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek and Common.

Mojica also made numerous appearances on Heavy D's album Nuttin' But Love (1995) and his 1997 single "Water Bed Hev"; collaborated with the French hip hop group Alliance Ethnik in 1995 and 1998; and made guest appearances on albums by Heltah Skeltah, Rahzel, and Pete Rock. Outside of hip hop, she has also recorded and performed with Mary J. Blige, Youssou N'Dour and Arto Lindsay, as well as downtempo artists like Cibo Matto, DJ Spinna, and, in 2005, Jneiro Jarel. In 2002, Mojica collaborated with French hip hop and electro artist DJ Mehdi (credited as Espion) on "Anything Is Possible", a track later remixed by Château Flight.

She worked and toured with pianist Andy Milne in his band as a lead vocalist.[2]

In 2003, Mojica finally released her debut single, "Guilt Junkie" (with the B-side "Sands of Time").

Discography

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Singles
  • "Magnificent" (2002) (with Mos Def)
  • "Guilt Junkie" b/w "Sands of Time" (2003)
Guest appearances

References

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  1. ^ Davidson, Tamara (February 28, 2012). "Vinia Mojica: The Hip-Hop Troubadour Tells Her Story". Revive. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Kokayi, Kokayi (2022). You Are Ketchup: And Other Fly Music Industry Tales. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1-4930-6120-4.
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