Vita (rapper)
LaVita Raynor, known simply as Vita, is an American rapper, lingerie designer and actress. She is most known as an actress for playing DMX's side-chick Kionna in the 1998 film Belly. As a rapper she is known for her appearances on the songs Lapdance by N.E.R.D, Put It on Me by Ja Rule, and Down 4 U by Irv Gotti. Her sister is Kima Raynor of Total. In 2014, Vita was included in Billboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop".[1]
Vita | |
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![]() Vita with Ja Rule in 2001 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | LaVita Raynor |
Genres | Hip hop, gangsta rap |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1998–present |
Labels | Murder Inc., Def Jam, Universal |
Associated acts | Total, Ja Rule, Ashanti, N.E.R.D, Lil' Mo, Irv Gotti, DMX, Cadillac Tah, Black Child |
Career
Raynor had a minor role in the 1998 film Belly as 16-year-old girl Kionna who is one of Tommy's girlfriends. In the same year, she also appeared in the video of the song "Break Ups 2 Make Ups" by Method Man and D'Angelo, playing the formers' girlfriend. Raynor was signed as the first lady of Murder Inc. Vita appeared in the remix and music video to the remix of Ja Rule's "Holla Holla", and made a cameo appearance in the video for Ja Rule's 6 Feet Underground. She appeared as a guest vocalist on numerous songs including on "Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc." on the songs "Down 4 U" and "Here We Come" and recorded her own album, La Dolce Vita, which remains unreleased,[2] with the first single "Justify My Love" not gaining attention. Madonna shut her down from making her re-make original, as she recorded a version with her rapping, but Madonna did not clear the version with the rap.[3][4] Her debut album was later released on DatPiff. She made a comeback in 2012 with the mixtape, Pre-cumm, a title given for "pure shock value"; she's also worked on producing a lingerie line.[5][6][7] In 2017 she released different songs and videos together with European rapper CHG Unfadable.[8]
Discography
Mixtapes
Title | Album details |
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Pre-cumm |
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Filmography
Year | Title | Role |
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1998 | Belly | Kionna |
2005 | Blue Sombrero | Angelina |
References
- "Ladies First: 31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop". Billboard. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- Tara Aquino (15 May 2012). "Eve". Complex. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- "Vita Takes It Easy On Upcoming Album". MTV.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2001.
- Hall, Rashaun (7 July 2001), "They're playing my song", Billboard
- "Female Rappers You Loved + Forgot About: Where Are They? - VH1". VH1 News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ABC News. "Before There Was Nicki Minaj: 8 Female Rappers Who Went MIA – ABC News". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- HipHopDX (24 March 2014). "Vita Says Murder Inc. Didn't "Go As Far" As It Was Supposed To". HipHopDX. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- "CHG feat. Vita - Murda Babe @CHGUNFADABLE - HIP HOP & HYPE". www.hiphopandhype.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.