African American female singers

ideologies of black womanhood (187)” through the blues. Notable blues singers, such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Ida Cox, paved the way for women MCs today to speak out about their experiences of being a black working-class woman. The four categories of women rappers that have emerged are: “Queen Mother,” “Fly Girl,” “Sista with Attitude,” and “The Lesbian.” The first, Queen Mother, “comprises of female rappers who view themselves as African-centered icons, which is often evoked by their…

Billie Holiday is considered one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. Holiday was born on April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia and died on July 17, 1959. Billie Holiday struggled in her early life which was why she moved to New York and began her career, but she encountered problems even though she was successful. Billie Holiday did not live in a peaceful home while growing up. Born in Philadelphia, her birth name was Eleanor Fagan. She spent much of her childhood in Baltimore with her…

In their study the Clarks presented African American children with Black and White dolls and asked them a series of questions, such as which doll was the prettiest, smartest, dumbest, and dirtiest. They found that African American children consistently attributed more positive traits to the White dolls and negative ones to the Black dolls” (Mio, 205-206). This experiment was so powerful…

begging in African American communities of New Orleans began in the late 19th century and flourished in the roaring 20’s. During the time period of the 1920’s, many African American artist, musicians, and singers, rose to fame, fortune, and recognition as they performed in the Jazz genre. Theses artist, doing what many believed to be the dream were seen as trend setters, rule breakers, a form of representation and inspiration for the African American in America. In fact, these African American…

The Great Migration was the movement of approximately 6 million African Americans out of the South to the North that occurred between 1910 and 1970. Jacob Lawrence created The Migration of the Negro in 1940-1941 to represent the relocation of African Americans from the South to the North. In his sixty panels, he was able to depict the social struggles in both the North and South and the people’s dreams and frustrations of one day obtaining better education and economic equality in the North.…

economy was flourishing, everyone was throwing extravagant parties and the music industry was booming. There weren't many black singers of the time period but those who were, made their presence known. One of the best blues singers of the 1920s or maybe even of all time, Bessie Smith. She has set the stage for not only African-American singers but female black singers who came after her. Although Bessie Smith may have been born into misfortune and poverty, she was determined to not let that…

Stereotypes of African American Men in the Media Negative stereotypes of African American men have existed for centuries. They date as far back as folklore, pre mass media, and they exist everywhere today. “They have played a significant role in shaping attitudes towards African American men in American history and in the present (Green, 1999).” “They created the idea that they are racially and socially inferior (Blackface).” Furthermore, they promoted inequality and violence towards them.…

There have been many influential African American women in the history of theater. Some women are more popular than others, however this one women started it all. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Oscar in 1940. McDaniel was also one of the first African American Females to be heard on radio, where she performed a song. Hattie McDaniel, an African American Actress, born on June 10th, 1893 in Wichita Kansas. She was the fourteenth child by her parents Henry McDaniel, a…

relentlessly free. Poets, singers, jazz musicians, political leaders, authors, and so much more were on the rise. Literature played an important factor to many lives. Poetry was an influence because it was a way of African Americans expressing their feelings and opinions; of how society was being portrayed at that time. It was soothing and the events led to people wanting to hear more and more, especially during the 1920’s. Jessie R. Fauset, an african american female poet, was one of many…

Tennessee. She was an independent African-American woman who was born into a large and poor family. She was one of eight children. At a young age, both her parents and her two brothers passed away. Bessie started singing and dancing on the street with her brother which helped her poor family financially. Her career started when she got a job with Vaudeville. Was given the name “Empress of the Blues” for her ability to endure the obstacles that a black female singer faced at the time. Bessie…