  Mamie Smith was the first black American to publish a blues recording and became a prominent figure in the film industry. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1891, Smith’s younger life remains largely unknown. However, her career in the world of entertainment began at age ten when she joined a white tour group, the Four Dancing Mitchells, and demonstrated her talent through dance performances.  After seven years, Smith shifted away from dance and pursued a career in music. She collaborated with the record label Okeh Records, where she recorded songs that made her the first black singer to ever record a blues song. Although Smith and her record label have faced threats of boycott from the public, her songs were published, gaining widespread success and paving the way for many other black musicians to record. Her biggest hit was “Crazy Blues,” a collection of songs written by Perry Bradford, a well known blues composer and songwriter. The album sold a million copies in less than a year, prompting many other recording companies to seek out other female blues singers. She was eventually dubbed the “Queen of Blues” after recording songs with other major black singers at that time, such as Joe Smith, Herb Flemming, and Cecil Carpenter. Smith continued to make music through the 1920s, though no songs reached the same level of popularity as her first album. She eventually returned to the film industry and starred in notable films, such as “Jailhouse Blues”, “Because I Love You”, and “Sunday Sinners” before retiring. Smith laid the foundations for black Americans in both the music and film industries through her groundbreaking progress, setting the stage for the rising popularity of blues and black records. Although she was an influential person during her time, she remains almost unknown to newer generations. Nevertheless, we see her lasting impact in music and film history.

   Considered by many to be the Godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of the first musicians to popularize the genre, as well as one of the very few female guitarists of the 1930s and 1940s. Surrounded by religious music since her birth in 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Tharpe’s style combined gospel melodies with New Orleans jazz and Delta blues. At 23 years old, she released her first single “Rock Me”. Her high vocal range, impressive guitar playing skills, lyrics that expressed the freeness of sexuality, and fusion of the blues with a spiritual sound, astonished the nation.. Later releases included a collaboration with Duke Ellington and the Dixie Hummingbirds on “I Want a Tall Skinny Papa”, and her most popular record titled “Strange Things Happening Everyday”. Although she is currently not as well-known, especially considering how her accomplishments in the rock ‘n’ roll industry have been largely overlooked by the fame of artists like Elvis and Johnny Cash, she was truly a groundbreaking musician. Besides being one of the very few female guitarists of color, Tharpe shook gospel audiences by blending the genre with nonspiritual styles. Notably, she was one of the first openly queer artists, performing on tour with her partner Marie Knight, a move that shook her audiences and encouraged acceptance of identity in the music industry. Despite her immense success, Tharpe faced numerous hardships, including racism, sexism, and homophobia throughout her nearly four-decade long music career, which ended with her passing in 1973. From her passion in creating innovative sounds to her dismantling of social barriers, Sister Rosetta Tharpe remains a musical wonder deserving to be celebrated by all. 

 Gladys Bentley was a blues pianist and well-known singer during the Harlem Renaissance. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Bentley had a difficult home relationship as she was shunned by her mother for not being born a boy and was raised by her grandmother instead. Due to her unconventional way of dressing (opting for suits instead of dresses and blouses) and infatuation with her female teachers, Bentley was ostracized by her family and community. As a result of this, her family sent her to multiple doctors in an attempt to “fix” her unladylike behavior. At age 16, she left her home and moved to New York. There, she found an ad seeking a male piano player at a nightclub and secured the job. It was later, at a prominent gay speakeasy known as Harry Hansberry's Clam House, where she launched her career as a pianist. Bentley was known for dressing in white tuxedos and often singing about sexual relationships while flirting with women in the audience. Her songs had an expansive vocal style ranging from deep and booming to high and feminine, featuring a clash of cultures and music, as she went from “black” blues to “white” ballads.. After signing her first record deal with Okeh Record in 1928, she produced eight records over the following year and later went on tour around the United States, including Hollywood, Chicago, and Pittsburg. Her work and success in the music industry not only paved the way for queer black artists in the music and performing industry, but also sparked many debates and changes in attitudes over gender and sexuality in the United States to this day.

   Evident from his nickname, “the Originator”, Bo Diddley was one of the first primary influencers of American rock ‘n’ roll through his unmatched singing, songwriting, and technique on the guitar. Born in 1928 in McComb, Mississippi, he solidified his status as a legendary musician by combining blues music with rock ‘n’ roll. Through this style, he expanded the possibilities of how music could sound by using tougher and more intense guitar chords alongside pulsating rhythms, which empowered his melodies. He was inspired to play guitar after listening to John Lee Hooker perform the blues, which eventually led him to play at the 708 Club in Chicago, playing the music of Louis Jordan, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters. Rising to prominence, he invented his own rhythm, titled the “Bo Diddley Beat”. This syncopated, rumba-like rhythm left an undeniable mark on pop and rock ‘n’ roll music during the 1950s and 1960s. With this distinctive style, Diddley produced hits such as “I’m a Man” and “Pretty Thing.” Notably, Diddley was one of the first black artists of his time to perform for mixed-race audiences, breaking social norms in a highly-segregated society. His impressive sound not only pushed boundaries, but also contributed to musical diversity and inclusivity, attracting fans of diverse backgrounds to his music. Recognizing his influence on the music industry, Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Despite his passing in 2008, Diddey’s impact and eternal talent continues to resonate with listeners, as seen through his successful world tour in 2005. While he remains recognized by many, it is essential to continue honoring Diddley’s contributions to the rock and roll industry, as he played a profound role in shaping the unique and intricate sound and rhythm of music today. 



The Tower

Gabrielle Kaputa's Work

The Tower