Meet Su Preme Kai: Creator of Fruitful Rhythm- What In The world IS that?

Rikayyah Wilson AKA Su Preme Kai has been in touch with music for much of her life, starting out playing flute at 8 years old. However, she became drawn to drums and percussion a year later when she discovered how well her father could play the drum set when they visited Guitar Center together. Rikayyah tried out drumming that day and felt an unexplainable connection to the instrument both there, and on her first day at her new elementary school, playing snare drum in the symphonic band. It was through these experiences Rikayyah learned that drumming would be her perfect new beginning. 

Rikayyah furthered her musical journey in the symphonic band, learning more percussion instruments and various genres of drum set. In high school, she joined the marching band and was appointed as the drum line captain. Rikayyah later went on to her receive her undergraduate degree from Spelman College in her hometown of Atlanta, GA., tapping into her passion for education, leadership, and continuing along her musical path. During that time, Rikayyah worked as an Admissions Student Assistant for the Spelman College Admissions Office, mentoring prospective students and leading campus tours. In relation to her musical journey, Rikayyah became immersed in Jazz, African, and Latin drumming. Rikayyah was appointed as the rhythm section leader in the Spelman College Jazz program and played West African Drums for Spelman’s Ashietu Drumming and Dance Ministry. She also learned audio production during her undergrad career and upon her graduation eventually dedicated a portion of her work to NPR Dallas during her brief time in TX. 

Washington, D.C soon became Rikayyah’s “home away from home”. Prior to it’s grand opening, she was selected to intern with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture as well as intern for the International Monetary Fund’s annual meetings. Simultaneously, she received her Master of Arts from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. At GU, Rikayyah was selected to study abroad and gain an even greater understanding of music’s intercultural ties and ability to bring individuals together. This led her to tap more into her passion as an educator, where she developed and facilitated interactive team-building percussion based workshops to Masters program students at Georgetown surrounding cultural intelligence and inclusion. 

Rikayyah subsequently founded “Fruitful Rhythm”. 

“Fruitful” means abundance. Fruitful Rhythm as a platform strives to aid individuals through music in becoming abundant in their wellness, cultural understanding, and being in their own personal alignment with self-love & enjoying life. To promote these ideals on the individual level with Fruitful Rhythm as a platform, she founded the Fruitful Rhythm Café where she utilizes her very own customized drum/percussion creation- The “Rhythm Kitchen” and provides live entertainment for various entities such as farmers markets like FreshFarm Markets- a Mid-Atlantic Region based organization focused on sustainable food sourcing. She has contributed much of her Fruitful Rhythm percussion for two performing groups, IZA FLO and the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective. She has performed at (including but not limited to) WUSA News- Great Day Washington, Washington Women in Jazz Fest, The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, DC Funk Parade, Baltimore Rhythm Fest, Pearl Street Live, The Brooklyn Museum, The 9:30 Club, The National Museum of Women In the Arts (The Phillips Collection), and Apple Inc. at The Carnegie Library.  

As an educator, Rikayyah caters to various age groups, and has facilitated workshops for top corporate, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. She enjoys teaching general music, band, and percussion for grades K-8 in the public school realm.

When in relaxation mode, you might find her throughout DC jamming on drums/percussion at some of her favorite spots, such as Pearl Street Live, Hands on Drums, Marvin, Bin 1301, The Brixton (D.C jazz jam), and the historic Meridian Hill Park drum circle to name a few. 

Rikayyah is also a wellness consultant. She finds that she is operating at optimum levels in direct alignment with her Fruitful Rhythm way of life when she is living a healthy lifestyle and helping others feel rise to their best health and potential, utilizing her platform both on and off social media. She strives daily to positively impact through her artistry, teaching, and their ability to heal. Rikayyah’s mission in your participation with Fruitful Rhythm is that you feel “You’ve Come To the Right Place”.