ultra profile picture

ultra

No note first? No friend request approved..period.

About Me

Que pasa? My name is Raquel,
and I own & operate alphabet city design + marketing . At alphabet city design + marketing, our motto is fresh, clean, fast-forward design. We do it all - hosting, printing, flyers, business cards, websites, calendars, evites, newsletters, book covers, banners, tshirts & much more! I love making the world a more beautiful place and it's my JOB to rid the world of bad design! I take bad design personally! I'm also a bad ass promoter with a bad ass team and we do many other things such as bio & press release writing and more! We host parties, we promote parties, we throw parties! Hip-hop (hardcore and fabulous/glossy), house (deep only), boogaloo!
I live in NYC and wouldn't live anywhere else. I grew up in Miami and was born in Cuba. My background is in hip-hop promotions - I was a street promoter then from 1991 - 1996 in Miami known then as PAYBACK PROMOTIONS (where my people at? holla!) Feel free to view my bio to view that epitaph of my life here . I started alphabet city design + marketing in 1996 when I moved to NYC and didn't care for a label job. Now we are the acclaimed designers and programmers as well as marketing geniuses for SUPERSTAR house music and hip hop record labels, SUPERSTAR DJs and SUPERSTAR producers. We also promote events, products and artists, put on events and plan events for clients and develop artists and businesses. I went to school for broadcasting, but decided on design in my late 20's. I taught myself everything I know and I work hard, hustle hard and am always on the grind. I believe that designers are born, not made. I've worn many hats in the industry - journalist, designer, manager, record store personnel, street team, promoter, zulu nation staff, worked several positions in radio.
I am also a partner in several businesses: Suntoucher Entertainment (booking agency for musical artists and models), BIMU Entertainment (artist management/booking as well as event planning for Jazz & R&B genres), Sun Moon & Stars (worldwide event planning and promotion) and A-lan NYC (handmade paper wallets).
Some words that describe me as a person: eclectic, swanky, lavish, humble, driven, romantic, assertive, ambitious, clean freak, caring, witty, thoughtful, diverse, well-rounded, sarcastic, humorous, street-smart. I like people who walk the walk, not talk the talk! I don't settle or care for those who settle - I like progress. Show and prove! I'm the daughter of Ochun and Obatala. Bendicion!
I love to network, especially amongst the music and design industries. I like those who make it happen, shine in the darkest light, keep it real have wit and humor and keep their word. If we can network, do business, become friends, by all means, let's talk.
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Below (and in my blog) is some of the work we've done for our fabulous clients...
if you'd like to see more/build/inquire, send me a message!
MySpace pages designed by us include:
Max Jerome Peter Reyes
The Last Hip-Hop Radio Show Sinister Concepts
Some of the sites we've built include:
Misa Hylton Fan Site Hobbcat Chronicles
Cablevision Advertising Sales Kats in Motion



My Interests

Cuba, my beautiful friends, NGE, butterflies, cigars, oils, silver, rainbows, children, 400 thread count sheets, design, art, painting, drawing, egyptology, music production, the hustle, NYC, brunch, spring, fall, pedicures, manicures, the music game, sorbet, sunday mornings, love, good vibes, incense, soft lips, mojitos, technology, velvet, anthropology, suede, linen, indian clothes, red velvet cake, hip-hop, house music, reggae, dub, rockers, singers, latin jazz, block parties, boogaloo, the caribbean, italian food, indian food, jamaican food, smiles, brooklyn, afternoons in the park, laughing, independent film, foreign film, softness, cats, babies, entrepreneurship, almond milk, shrimp, english breakfast tea, meditation, japanese wheat cake, discovery, cali rolls, microbrews, miami, seashells, cuban coffee, my mac laptop, kissing, whispers, afternoons, mexican food, baking cakes, frosting, honey in my tea, roadtrips, berets, lemonade, street festivals, almonds, breaking night, traveling, passion, hugs, love to love, love to be loved, cocktails, olives, snow, birthdays, surprises, tulips, decadence, information, romance, VH1 Soul, great loves, rice n peas, on demand, portuguese, the food network, mtv2, soft feet, egg nog, xmas cookies, little italy, the internet, my treo, white amber, peanut butter, bubblebaths, magazines, kittens, candles, chandan incense, lounging, wmc, hot chocolate with marshmellows, basketball, waterfalls, fireplaces, west elm, DUMBO, barbeques, miami beach breezes, eclectic people, tibetan decor, brownstones, strawberries, Emeril, cilantro, tears, birth, musicians, pears, peaches, knowledge, cooking, silk, ikea, warmth, travel channel, babypowder, the shore, my Cuban people, Puerto Rico, Yoruba, Ache, Regla de Ocha, my altar, laziness, feng shui, freestyling, bracelets, ladybugs, desperate housewives, digital cable, ragdolls, the qu'ran, seven day candles, l'occitane, shea butter, fuzzy socks, peace, sand from the beach, sunflowers, toes, lips, thick eyebrows, eccentricity, shimmering eyes, sleazy disco, feeling good, lipgloss with flavors

I'd like to meet:

God

Music:

Listen to music from the artists/producers we manage below:
Mongo Santamaria, OC, Francisco Aguabella, Vikter Duplaix, C Boogie, Butta Verses, Planet Asia, Cachao, Lupe Fiasco, France Joli, Bobby Valentin, Astrud Gilberto, Bebel Gilberto, Tribe Called Quest, Tito Puente, Joe Cuba, Cheo Feliciano, Omara Portuondo, Charlie Palmieri, Perez Prado, Tito Nieves, La India, Joe Bataan, Red Rat, Bob Marley, The Square Egg, Blaze, Large Professor, Marcia Griffiths, Erro aka Eric Roberson, Martin Luther, Slave, Fania All Stars, Rakim, Krs One, Latifah, Biggie, Jay-Z, Akrobatik, Gaelle, Chet Baker, Helen Merrill, Frank Sinatra, Buena Vista Social Club, DelaSoul, Ray Barretto, John Coltrane, Willie Colon, Lady Saw, Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Charlie Parker, Public Enemy, Cold Crush Brothers, Beanie Siegel, Frank Sinatra, Nadine Sutherland, Roy Ayers, Martin Denny, Marva Whitney, After 7, Luis Miguel, Sanchez, X Clan, Beres Hammond, Redman, Benny More, Wu-tang, Celia Cruz, Nina Simone, Dezi Arnaz, Dizzy Gillespie, Chino XL, Rich Medina, MC Lyte, The Coup, Ras Kass, Jill Scott, Floetry, Funky Four plus One, Compay Segundo, Poncho Sanchez, Wayne Wonder, Sha Rock, Mike Jones, TI, Mos Def, Blackstar, Talib Kweli, Jeru the Damaja, KD Lang, 112, Beres Hammond, Kenny Bobien, Black Eyed Peas, Little Brother, Dangerdoom, Stephanie Cooke, Charlie Mingus, Jimmy Bosch, La Bruja, Common, The Jungle Brothers, DJ Gregory, Carolyn Victorian, El Da Sensei, Lord Finesse, Gwen Guthrie, D'Influence, Sly and the Family Stone, Bill Withers, TSOP, Just Blaze, Nina Simone, Kool G Rap, Jaydee, Common, D' Influence, Massive Attack, Willie Bobo, Xhibit, El Gran Combo, King Sun, Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Bambaataa, Jeru tha Damaja, PF Cuttin', Gangstarr, David Banner, Kenny Dope, N'dea Davenport, Mad Lion, Boot Camp Clik, Ultramagnetic MCs, Loose Ends, Mary Jane Girls, Prince Paul, Arnold Jarvis, Sean Paul, Roy Ayers, Mario Bauza, Sizzla, Paris, Freddie Foxxx, Chaka Khan, Dean Martin, Chip Fu, PRT, Slick Rick, Dana Dane, Cham, Sabrynaah Pope (RIP), Ilu Aye, Yerbabuena, Nestor Torres, Yung Joc, Justus League, Scienz of Life, Marlena Shaw
Here are some dope mixes/stations I'm feeling at the moment:
Classic salsa and boogaloo! WEPA!!!

Funk, classics, breaks!
Enjoy!

Heroes:

My beautiful mama

My Blog

My 2007 started off with a fire and changed my life...

Friends and associates,For those who don't know, I was in a fire two weeks ago (1/8/07) in my apartment and lost alot but did not lose my life thanks to God the almighty and my cat Pikachu survived al...
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 06:22:00 PST

My latest loves

Chocolate tea...yes! Yum!Chocolate Almond Milk! Yummy!Cipollini Onions...sweeeeeet and deliciousOrganic honey...wow!Dove Energy Glow nightcreamGreen flame cigar lighters!Taking bubblebaths after a har...
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sun, 07 Jan 2007 11:11:00 PST

Osunlade and Carlos Mena present Ocha Records first release!

Osunlade and Carlos Mena present Ocha Records first release: Bah Samba "Doober" remixed by CASAMENAselected from the upcoming "This Afternoon" EPAvailable now exclusively on Traxsource (click here for...
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:41:00 PST

KARIZMA presents OSUNLADE in his FIRST BALTIMORE APPEARANCE EVER 1/11/07!


Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sat, 06 Jan 2007 06:49:00 PST

Holding my damn tongue

Anyone who knows me well knows that I avoid conflict and drama in every situation, be it personal or business. This is associated with my holding my tongue ALOT. I do it out of respect, being kind and...
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 11:01:00 PST

THE STARLITE LOUNGE welcomes DJ DISCIPLE's NEXT LEVEL PARTY!


Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 06:32:00 PST

Hip-Hop Meets Spoken Wordz II - A Fundraiser & Coat Drive for the Homeless 1/27/07


Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sun, 24 Dec 2006 06:59:00 PST

Interview with DJ Slice

Peace!Please check out the interview of our illustrious producer, homie and friend, DJ Slice and VOTE!
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:08:00 PST

ATTENTION: Hustle, grind, hustle - repeat over and over again!

As of right now, I have about 1170 friends on my list. Wow.I know most of you personally, yes.Whether I know you or not, you're on my list for a reason and soon, I will make that reason known - be it ...
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sun, 17 Dec 2006 01:18:00 PST

NEW YORK is STILL the SHIT

WORD UP. Believe that.I'm sick of hearing cats say that NYC has fallen off. NYC may not be what it used to be back in the day but NEW YORK will ALWAYS be NEW YORK - ON TOP! NO CITY (yeah, I said it) p...
Posted by ultra - the promoterdesignermanager lady! on Sun, 03 Dec 2006 03:10:00 PST