I am Ruth Brinkley, also known as Hip Hop artist Infinite Wiz, Youth Representative for New Future Foundation, INC. a non governmental organization founded by Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely, Goodwill Ambassador to Africa. I am also an advisor for the United Nations Department of Public Information Youth Steering Committee. My aspirations are to be a producer and director as I am currently enrolled as a film student at Digital Film Academy in NYC. As an active community activist I been a part of the Hip Hop industry since an early age, as my father was signed to Sugar Hill Records in the 70's. I’m also an active community producer at BRIC, Brooklyn’s public access station; providing original content for television over the last three years and producing the series “Heartbeat Of The Street”.

 

As an artist I strive to promote a message that is is both positive and inspirational, geared toward youth of today. In the footsteps of Dr. Blakely, I took an Ancestry DNA test at the United Nation’s "Ark of Return" monument and discovered my 61% African ancestry. I am an advocate for reparations for the victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. My Debut album "Outside Da Box" will soon be released with songs "All We Got Is Love" and "The World Is Mine" which I have had the opportunity to perform at the United Nations and internationally.

 

I was born in Lakewood, New Jersey to an Afro-Cuban mother and African-American father. My parents separated when I was two years old and my father raised me. I didn’t meet my biological mother till my early twenties. My father, Earl Brinkley, is an R&B singer who was signed to Sugarhill Records at age 17 and toured with groups such as Sugarhill & The Gang and Earth Wind & Fire. Music was a powerful influence in my upbringing. By age seven my father got out of the music business and moved our family from California to South Florida. The first time I performed in front of an audience was in 5th grade for a D.A.R.E program. From then on I started learning my craft.

 

Like many, my childhood wasn’t a perfect one. By age 15 I was on my own. I lived in a group home, at shelters and with friends. At 16, I joined Job Corps in Albany, GA, which is a federal trade program for 16- to 24-year-olds. During those years I started becoming aware of my talent to rap. I turned to music to see me through that tough and lonely phase of life. I grabbed the microphone every chance I got, at talent shows, freestyle ciphers and local studios. Influenced by rappers such as Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy, Lauryn Hill and Rakim; I found my own style and meshed the styles of many of my favorite MC’s.

 

It wasn’t until one of my step brothers, Chris Velazquez,  fatally overdosed that my father and I reconciled. A year later, I lost my other brother Jonas Velazquez to a brain aneurysm. My mother found him in bed. After my brothers died, both at the young age of 20, I re-dedicated myself to my music. Prior to their deaths I hadn’t tried to get into the music industry; however, the tragic events sharpened my focus and inspired me to pursue  my music career full-time. Under the name Shortyreal I started doing local showcases and opened up for artists such as Mr. Cheeks and Rah Digga in Miami. South Florida’s local newspaper The Sun-Sentinel included me in a full spread article about the Underground Hip-Hop scene in South Florida. In the article it went into the difficulty for upcoming artists with a positive message to get on in the area.

 

I left Miami, Florida in the fall of 2008 and relocated to NYC to begin working on my debut album, after realizing the demographic was not the right one for my type of music. Prior to relocating I recorded and began selling and promoting two mixtapes under the name Shortyreal: “The Real Deal” and “Truth Will Set U Free Vol.1: MakHERveli Mixtape”. I stopped working a regular job, which consisted of retail sales, collections and waitressing, and started selling my own music hand to hand. So far I have distributed over 5000 units by myself between Florida and NYC.

 

In 2009 I decided to change my stage name from Shortyreal to Infinite Wisdom (Wiz) after building with The Nation of Gods and Earths otherwise known as the 5% Nation for over two years. I felt it more describes the image I want to portray to the people. As Infinite Wiz I’ve performed at the Nation’s annual “Show n Prove” 2009-2012 with Brand Nubians and Force MD’s to name a few. As a woman in the hip-hop industry my goal is to be a positive role model for young women in society and add a balance to the misogynistic industry where there are few images of what a real woman is. The name Infinite Wisdom means: eternally building with wise words, ways and actions. It symbolizes the Asiatic Black woman. My mission is to utilize my gifts and talent to be a powerful influence in society at all levels.

 

My message is political, conscious and inspirational. I  intends to stay as independent as possible so my message will not be compromised to fit into the box of the present music industry. I have partnered with NGO/ECOSOC New Future Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization founded by the Goodwill Ambassador to Africa for the United Nations, Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely and I am the youth representative for the organization.  Currently I am working on my Debut LP “Outside Da Box” which will be released soon. As a supporter of Dr. Mutulu Shakur, Tupac’s father who is a political prisoner serving a 60 year term in Federal prison, I am working on a campaign to make people aware of the Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners of this generation. I am an online contributor for The Source Magazine's site TheSource.com and contributes to the Culture section keeping the community informed. My purpose is to utilize my gifts and talents to express truth and love to everyone I encounter in person or anyone who hears or views my work, and to provide a platform for the oppressed and be a voice for the voiceless during my physical existence so my legacy will live on through generations.