Vita (rapper)

Vita
Vita with Ja Rule on the set of the music video for Ashanti's Foolish, 2002.
Background information
Born
LaVita Gwendolyn Raynor

(1976-01-27) January 27, 1976
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actress
Years active1998–present
LabelsMurder Inc.

LaVita Gwendolyn Raynor[2] (born January 27,[3]1976), known simply as Vita, is an American rapper, songwriter and actress. Raynor is perhaps best known for her role as Kionna, the mistress of Tommy "Buns" Bundy (portrayed by DMX), in the 1998 crime drama film Belly.[1] As a rapper, Raynor 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. In 2014, Raynor was included in Billboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop".[4]

Biography

Career

Raynor had a minor role in the 1998 crime drama film Belly as 16-year-old girl Kionna (who is one of Tommy "Buns" Bundy's girlfriends).[5] In the same year, Raynor also appeared in the video of the song "Break Ups 2 Make Ups" by Method Man and D'Angelo, playing the former's girlfriend. By 2000, Raynor was signed to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. In 2001, Raynor appeared on the hook of “The Learning (Burn),” the first single released from the Mobb Deep album Infamy.[6] Raynor contributed vocals and appeared in the official music video for the remix to Ja Rule's "Holla Holla", and made a cameo appearance in the video for Ja Rule's "6 Feet Underground". In 2002, Raynor contributed to the Irv Gotti-produced hit single "Down 4 U" with Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Charli Baltimore from the Murder Inc. compilation album Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.. The song was another hit for Vita, peaking within the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

In July 2002, Vita parted ways with Irv Gotti and Murder Inc.[7] Consequently, Vita's debut album on Murder Inc., La Dolce Vita, which was originally scheduled to be released on December 11, 2001 then delayed to Fall 2002, was ultimately shelved.[8] 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.[9][10] Her debut album was later released on DatPiff. Raynor made a comeback in 2012 with the mixtape, Pre-cumm, a title given for "pure shock value"; she has also worked on producing a lingerie line.[11][12][13]

Personal life

Raynor is the younger sister of singer Kima Raynor.[1]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[14] 		US
R&B
/HH
[15] 		US
Rap
[16] 		GER
[17] 		IRE
[18] 		NLD
[19] 		NZ
[20] 		SCO
[21] 		SWI
[22] 		UK
[23]
"Vita, Vita, Vita" 2000 — — 43 — — — — — — — Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers
"Down 4 U"
(Irv Gotti presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore, and Vita) 		2002 6 3 3 54 22 22 23 14 43 4 Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.
"Hold That" 2022 — — — — — — — — — — —
"Water Falls" — — — — — — — — — —
"Can't Nobody" — — — — — — — — — —
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released, certifications and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[14] 		US
R&B
/HH
[15] 		US
Rap
[16] 		NLD
[19] 		NZ
[20] 		SCO
[21] 		SWE
[24] 		SWI
[22] 		UK
[23]
"Put It on Me"
(Ja Rule featuring Lil' Mo and Vita) 		2000 8 2 11 7 — — — — — The Fast and the Furious: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"Goodlife"
(Funkmaster Flex presents Faith Evans featuring Ja Rule, Vita) 		2001 — 42 34 — — — — — —
"Lapdance"
(N*E*R*D featuring Lee Harvey and Vita) 		— 85 29 56 — 43 47 — 33 Kiss of the Dragon OST and In Search of...
"Rock Em"
(Boobakaw & the Wild Younginz featuring Vita) 		— 81 4 — — — — — — —
"Burn"
Mobb Deep featuring Vita and Big Noyd 		99 56 14 — — — — — — Infamy
"Distraction"
(Kima featuring Vita) 		2016 — — — — — — — — — —
"Guerrilla"
(CHG featuring Vita) 		2017 — — — — — — — — — Lifestyle
"Murda Babe"
(CHG featuring Vita) 		— — — — — — — — —

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Pop, Pop, Pop"
(featuring Black Child, Tah Murdah And Wiz Dinero)[28] 		2001 —
"Justify My Love"
(featuring Ashanti)[29] 		The Fast and the Furious: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Mixtapes

Title Album details
Pre-cumm
  • Released: May 8, 2012
  • Format: Digital download

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album Ref.
"Two Sides" 1998 — Belly (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [30]
"Dem Niggaz" 2000 Ja Rule, Black Child, Tah Murdah Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers [31]
"We Don't Give a Fuck" Ja Rule, Black Child, Tah Murdah
"Shit Gets Ugly" Ja Rule, Black Child, Tah Murdah
"We Murderers Baby" Ja Rule
"Interview With Vita" (Skit) —
"Rebels Symphony" Ja Rule,Tah Murdah, O-1, BJ, Black Child
"Holla Holla (Remix)" Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Black Child, Tah Murdah, Memphis Bleek, Busta Rhymes
"Big Momma's Theme" Da Brat, Destiny’s Child Big Momma's House: Music from the Motion Picture [32]
"Put It on Me" Ja Rule Rule 3:36 [33]
"Furious" 2001 Ja Rule, O1 The Fast and the Furious: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [34]
"Justify My Love" Ashanti
"Here We Come" 2002 Irv Gotti, Ronnie Bumps Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. [35]
"Walk a Mile" Shade Sheist, Barbara Wilson, Nate Dogg, N.U.N.E. Informal Introduction [36]
"We Fly" 2003 DJ Envy, Ja Rule, Lil' Mo The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1 [37]
"Seven Deadly Sins" DJ Kay Slay, Angie Martinez, Duchess, Lady May, Amil, Sonja Blade, Remy Martin The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 [38]
"Shimmy Slide" 2010 Dame Grease, Tanya T6 Dame Grease Presents the Wave Series Vol. 6 [39]
"Keep Investing in Yourself" 2025 Christenelle Diroc, Jadakiss, Tim Hardaway Sr The Cancer They Found 722 [40]

Filmography

Year Title Role
1998 Belly Kionna
2005 Blue Sombrero Angelina

References

  1. ^ a b c Hope, Clover (February 2, 2021). The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop. Abrams. ISBN 978-1-68335-805-3.
  2. ^ "Vita ArtistInfo". music.metason.net. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  3. ^ "Lavita Raynor". facebook.com. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  4. ^ "Ladies First: 31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  5. ^ Donalson, Melvin (January 1, 2010). Black Directors in Hollywood. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-78224-2.
  6. ^ She’s Be Allah (December 11, 2018). "The Source".
  7. ^ "Vita Leaves Murder Inc". July 11, 2002. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  8. ^ Tara Aquino (May 15, 2012). "Eve". Complex. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Reid, Shaheem (July 16, 2001). "Vita Takes It Easy On Upcoming Album". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  10. ^ Hall, Rashaun (July 7, 2001). "'They're Playing My Song'". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 27. p. 42. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Female Rappers You Loved + Forgot About: Where Are They?". VH1 News. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  12. ^ ABC News. "Before There Was Nicki Minaj: 8 Female Rappers Who Went MIA – ABC News". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  13. ^ HipHopDX (March 24, 2014). "Vita Says Murder Inc. Didn't "Go As Far" As It Was Supposed To". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Vita Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Vita Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Vita Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "Suchen nach "Vita"" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "Discography Vita". irish-charts.com. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Discografie Vita" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Discography Vita". charts.nz. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  21. ^ a b
  22. ^ a b "Discography Vita". Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  23. ^ a b
  24. ^ "Discography Vita". Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  25. ^ "British single certifications – Ja Rule – Put It on Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  26. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ja Rule feat. Vita And Lil Mo – Put It on Me". Radioscope. Retrieved September 22, 2025. Type Put It on Me in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  27. ^ "British single certifications – Nerd – Lapdance". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  28. ^ "Vita Feat. Black Child, Tah Murdah And Wiz Dinero – Pop, Pop, Pop". Discogs. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  29. ^ "Vita / Black Child – Justify My Love / The Prayer — Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo". Discogs. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "Belly (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Album by Various Artists - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  31. ^ "Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers - Album by Various Artists - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  32. ^ "Big Momma's House (Music from the Motion Picture) - Album by Various Artists - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  33. ^ "Rule 3:36 - Album by Ja Rule - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  34. ^ "The Fast and the Furious (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Album by Various Artists - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  35. ^ "Irv Gotti Presents... The Inc. - Album by Various Artists - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  36. ^ "Informal Introduction - Album by Shade Sheist - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  37. ^ "The Desert Storm Mixtape: DJ Envy - Blok Party, Vol. 1 - Album by DJ Envy - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. ^ "The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 - Album by DJ Kay Slay - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  39. ^ "Dame Grease Presents The Wave Series Vol. 6 - Album by Dame Grease - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  40. ^ "The Cancer They Found 722 - Album by Christenelle Diroc | Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
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