Rita Carter

Nambuusi “Rita Carter” Kyeyune (pronounced Chay-u-nay), 25, is an aspiring singer/songwriter from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Her parents immigrated to Canada from Uganda in the late 70's and went through a lot of struggle to build a better life in Canada, but they always persevered and supported their children's creative aspirations. Due to her parents' eclectic taste in music, Rita grew up listening to anything and everything from Johnny Cash, Marvin Gaye, and Phil Collins, to traditional African music. It is because of this upbringing that Rita's style is like no other, mixing folk, rock, pop, and R & B to form her own version of acoustic soul.

Her days of making music began at a very early age- "I remember pressing record on our old boom box with my brother. We would just sing and act for hours and hours because we were bored, then listen to it, laugh, and do it all over again..." Rita reminisces.

Those days were fun- performing at talent shows, in church, and for family functions, but she began to search for something more. When Rita received her first acoustic, nylon-stringed, classical guitar for her ninth birthday from her father, she knew she'd be playing music forever. Completely self-taught and eager to learn more, Rita joined her elementary school blues band, which later performed at Ottawa's Cisco Systems Bluesfest. Referring to being on Bluesfest stage Rita says, "I distinctly remember saying to myself when the crowd was applauding: 'I could get used to this'..."

Rita attended Canterbury (Performing Arts) High School in her hometown. As a member of the drama program for one year, Rita realized drama would not suffice as her creative outlet. However, she continued attending Canterbury and was completely immersed in art in so many ways- from literary, visual, and dance, to vocal, music, and drama, Canterbury had it all. "I always admired the students' talents and devotion to their art form at such young ages. Even though I was a 'general' student, I was still surrounded so much by it [art] that it just took over towards the end of high school," Rita says.

After writing her first song entitled "Closer", inspired by real love and relationship, Rita realized music was the only thing that would set her thoughts, feelings, and emotions free. She continued writing music and began to record, perform, and most importantly, improve. Inspired by artists such as Amos Lee, Ben Harper, India Arie, John Mayer, Tracy Chapman, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Justin Nozuka, and K'naan, Rita Carter writes from the heart and sings from her soul, and it is that exact uniqueness that led to her gaining a loyal fan base in her hometown.

In 2009, Rita completed her sophomore album, entitled "All of Me”, with help from the infamous studio of Stunnin' R's Ent. and independent label, Rhythm N' Kal Ent. That same year Rita embarked on her debut European/East African tour (visiting London, U.K., Rome, Italy, Kampala, Uganda, and Nairobi, Kenya). More recently, in 2011, Rita travelled to the big city of New York, NY, U.S.A., where she graced the stage at some of the most world renowned musical venues in the world, including 449 L.A. Jazz Bar in Harlem, Goodbye Blue Monday in Brooklyn, and Sidewalk Cafe in Manhattan.
Rita is more than ready to spread her music all over the world with love, compassion, and grace, but no matter where she is, Ottawa will always be where her heart lies - it's where her family and friends are, it's where her music began, it's where her life began. Rita is currently busy in the studio recording her third album with the help from Stunnin’ R’s Ent . and Rhythm N’ Kal Ent.