Hailing from Rochester, New York, Rissa The Righter is an artist whose journey is built on resilience, creativity, and faith. Her music reflects a lifetime of experiences, emotions, and lessons that have shaped her into the genre-bending artist she is today.
Born in Rochester, Rissa spent the first months of her life with her birth mother and two siblings before being adopted at just three months old. As she grew up, music became one of the most important influences in her life. She found herself drawn to the sounds of the 1970s, appreciating the soul, meaning, and emotion behind the records. The music resonated with her because every song felt genuine, from the lyrics to the instruments themselves.
Her passion for music began at an early age. Before she ever stepped into a studio, she was already creating sounds of her own. One of her first musical experiences came from stretching a rubber band and experimenting with different notes. That childhood curiosity would eventually grow into a lifelong passion.
By the fifth grade, Rissa had started writing her own lyrics as a way to express herself. Writing became more than just a creative outlet—it became a source of healing and inspiration. She often wrote about hardships and challenges, yet her songs would naturally evolve into messages of hope and encouragement. Looking back, she believes God was speaking through her music, helping transform difficult moments into something uplifting.
When describing her sound, Rissa refuses to place herself in a single category. She calls her style “genre bending” because she believes creativity should have no limits. Rather than following trends or sticking to one lane, she allows herself to create freely and authentically, wherever inspiration takes her.
Much of the music she records today has been created at The Green Room, located at Skandolous Studio, as well as RAABENT Studio in Rochester. Outside of music, she enjoys spending time outdoors and often finds herself around Liberty Pole in downtown Rochester, a place that reflects the energy and spirit of her hometown.
Rissa’s most recent release, “Mike Jack,” showcases her dedication as a true independent creator. The record was written and produced entirely by her, with the beat and lyrics crafted from her own vision. The song was recorded and mixed by Manny Greene at RAABENT Studio, helping bring the project to life exactly as she imagined it.
With several projects currently in the works and a new single planned for release soon, Rissa The Righter continues to build momentum while staying true to herself and her artistry.
She gives special thanks to John Gabrielle and Patty Yarmel for seeing potential in her long before others did and constantly encouraging her to practice and improve. She also extends gratitude to Sean Pfeifer and Manny Greene for believing in her vision and helping bring it to reality, as well as Diamond Jones for the unwavering support and motivation throughout her journey.
Most importantly, Rissa thanks her supporters—both longtime listeners and those who are just discovering her music. Above all, she gives glory to God for protecting her, guiding her, and blessing her with the gifts and talents she now shares with the world.
