Sundance (rapper)

Ericka Patrice Campbell (born April 4, 1972), better known as Sundance, is an American rapper, DJ and radio personality.[1]

Early life

From the westside of Chicago, Campbell attended Melody Elementary School but graduated from Maria Regina Catholic School in Gardena, California. She then attended Morningside High School in Inglewood, California but upon returning to Chicago, she finished at Austin Community Academy High School.

At a young age, Campbell learned to play the drums through her uncle who was musically inclined. She continued to play drums into high school and also learned the alto saxophone.

Career

Campbell's uncle later took up DJing as a hobby; with this she became fascinated and found her new love of music, hip hop and Chicago house, introduced by her uncle.

By the late 1980s, Campbell had already recorded a hit house record with Fast Eddie, "Git On Up", that was certified Gold by RIAA and Billboard. By the time she was 17, she traveled on a 6-month tour of the United Kingdom.

After coming home, she went to beauty school and became a successful hairstylist; music still her passion.

In 1999, she pursued radio and landed a job at one of Clear Channel's biggest urban stations in Chicago and was there for seven years. During these years, she invested in DJ equipment after an inheritance of her uncle's record collection dating back to the late 1970s, and became a professional DJ.

Awards and appearances

Personal life

Campbell was awarded custody by the State of Illinois 3 months after her birth by her grandfather, Ethell Day, Sr. He regained custody and Campbell remained in their care until she was 12. She was forced to try life with her mother and stepfather in Inglewood, California, but her mother was too abusive and wouldn't stop her heavy drug addiction, so for her 8th grade graduation, her gift was a one-way ticket back to Chicago to live with her grandparents. Her grandmother was an alcoholic and physically abusive and her grandfather was an extremely passive man and allowed the abuse to unfold. Once in an interview she stated, "My grandfather was my angel in a household from hell". Hence she wears his name on her back ("Ethello").

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stein, Anne E (November 30, 2008). "Sister act: Programs empower teen girls". Chicago Tribune. p. 6. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
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