The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that inspired the black community. During this time period, black people expressed themselves in new ways, through art, music and writing. Bessie Smith was one of the highest paid black performers during this time and sang many popular hits, like “Backwater Blues” and “Downhearted Blues”. She was born in Tennessee in April, 1894 and had six siblings however, their parents died while Bessie was still a child. Bessie began singing in the streets with her brother and after performing a few places was discovered Columbia Records. She released many hits during her prime but her success began to decline at the start of the Great Depression. In 1937, Bessie was in a car accident, ending her life. One
