El Rivera is an African-American female born in Harlem during the crest of a wave. Orphaned at age eleven, then reared as a ward of the state of Maryland, upon turning twenty-one; relocated to Los Angeles, where she continues to reside.

Considers herself a Performance (Rock) Poet/Writer with philanthropic aspirations. Her influences include Edgar Allan Poe, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday.

El Rivera has performed at venues such as Lollapalooza, The Whiskey, The Roxy, The House of Blues, 5th Street Dick's, Luna Park, Beyond Baroque, The Midnight Special, Booksoup, and Highways. Her work has appeared in The Drumming Between Us, Alternative, The International Black Writers & Artists, Anthology River Crossings, and Voices of the Diaspora.