Entertainment
Meet Mamie Smith, the first African American singer who gained instant fame but died broke
Mamie Smith, on record as the first Black female singer, released a record titled “Crazy Blues” in 1920, making her the first to record and release a Blues song. This kicked down a previously locked door for Black female artists and their fans that kept them out of mainstream music.
The record became a smash hit in Black communities across the country, revolutionizing the blues genre and opening the doors of popular music to Black female artists.
More importantly, the success of “Crazy Blues” proved to the music industry that Black women could make hit records, and that there was a thriving market for Black, popular music.
Born in Cincinnati in 1891, she began her career in show business as a dancer with the Four Dancing Mitchells. By 1910, Smith was touring the Midwest and East Coast with the Smart Set Company, a Black minstrel troupe. She married singer William “Smitty” Smith in 1912. The couple moved to New York, where she began working as a cabaret dancer, pianist, and singer. Her first major break came in 1918 when she appeared in Perry Bradford’s musical “Made in Harlem.”
Bradford had long dreamed of having Black singers record blues tunes for a mass market, but it was a tough sell for recording studios at the time. Eventually, Otto Heinemann, the president of fledgling OKeh Records, decided to take Bradford up on his idea, but Frederick Hager, the company’s recording manager, wanted Sophie Tucker, a white singer, to record the songs. Because Tucker signed with another label, Bradford convinced Hager to take a chance on Smith.
According to music critic Daphne Brooks, Smith, her fans, and the rallying behind the blues artists that followed her breakout success, helped pave the way for the fan armies that continue to surround Black women artists more than a century later, such as Beyonce’s “BeyHive” or Nicki Minaj’s “Barbz.”
“Mamie Smith almost singlehandedly jump-started the popularity of blues music in American culture,” says music journalist and author, Jas Obrecht, who profiled Smith for Living Blues magazine in 2019. “I would argue everybody who loves music and performs blues music, whether they know it or not, they owe a debt of appreciation to Mamie Smith.”
Smith’s popularity shot through the roof following “Crazy Blues,” which netted her about $100,000 in royalties, a fortune at the time. Her stage appearances, characterized by her signature glam style of shimmering gowns, plumes and diamond tiaras, raked in up to $1,500 a week. She later appeared in films, like the 1929 theatrical short “Jail House Blues” and 1939’s “Paradise in Harlem. But the success didn’t last, reports say.
By the time of her death in 1946, Smith was reportedly penniless, without even a tombstone to mark her grave in Staten Island, New York. But what the singer lacked in material wealth, she made up for in cultural influence, setting the precedent for Black female artists to become pop music divas.
According to Brooks, Smith’s legacy has ironically been overshadowed by the Black female recording artists who came after her, even though it was Smith who kicked off the classic blues women’s era of the 1920s.
Source: face2faceafrica.com
Popular social activist Martins Vincent Otse widely known as Verydarkman has reacted to allegations of financial malfeasance which led to his arrest by the EFCC.
In a viral video recorded by his lawyer after his release this evening, VDM expressed disbelief over the charges of money laundering brought against him, questioning why such accusations would be directed at someone who is not wealthy.
“How would they level allegations of money laundering on someone who doesn’t have money? I have done so many charity, they wonder how, they don’t know I use debt for charity. Anyway, we are outside, with my lawyer of course.” he said.
By Francesca Hangeior
Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has shared his harrowing experience in the United States when a stray bullet pierced through the window of his hotel room.
He shared the terrifying encounter on his Instagram page, posting a video of the damaged window and bullet hole.
Seun, who expressed shock, questioned the perception of safety in America.
In the video, Seun Kuti said that he was in his hotel room, relaxing, when the bullet suddenly came through the window.
“I read somewhere that these are the civilised people. Tell me you are in America without telling me you are in America. I am in my hotel room just chilling and boom this happened”, he said.
By Francesca Hangeior
Actor and skit maker Kamo State has penned a heartfelt note to his senior colleague and godmother, Funke Akindele, expressing deepest gratitude for her unwavering support throughout his wife’s pregnancy and childbirth.
He described her as “an angel in human form” and highlighted her selfless acts, including securing one of Lagos’s best doctors for his wife’s care and covering all medical expenses.
According to Kamo, she also offered to fly Kamo State’s wife to the US for the baby’s birth when she found out about the pregnancy late.
He wrote: “AN ANGEL IN HUMAN FORM (Iyami Olufunke Mi Owon). To the woman who embodies love, strength, and unwavering support, my dearest godmother, Lafunky Omo Akindele. Where do I even begin to express the depth of my gratitude for all you do? You’ve always stood by me, a beacon of light in every storm, and a source of endless encouragement.
“I’ll never forget the nights you spent by my side at the hospital, your presence, a soothing balm, your vigilance, a testament to your love. Even when I told you about the pregnancy late, you were ready to fly my wife to the US for the baby’s birth, showing the lengths you’d go to for us. We were supposed to go to Dubai together when I told you my wife’s expected delivery date is close,you insisted I stay with her while you’re in Dubai with your kids, and you called my wife every single day, just to check up on her and make sure she was doing well any day I didn’t pick call like this you’ll fight me ni ooo that you must talk to ESTHER to check her, you told your driver and security details to follow us to the hospital even if we call them in the midnight, ensuring we were safe and sound. You secured one of the best doctors in Lagos for my wife and took care of every single bill, showing your selfless generosity. You prayed for my wife in our prayer group every single time, and you forced me to pray countless times, always reminding me of the power of faith. And now, as we shall be christening our baby this Tuesday, you’ve once again stepped forward, sponsoring the naming from the food to the beautiful outfits for my wife and me, you’re taking care of everything, ensuring that this celebration is as special as possible.
“IYAMI IYAMI, your generosity knows no bounds, and your love is a gift I cherish every single day. I wanted to write more, but I’m honestly short of words to express how much you mean to me. I pray that God blesses you abundantly, showering you with health, happiness, and all the good things life offers. Thank you for being the amazing woman you are, and for showing me the true meaning of family. I owe you so much, and I’ll spend a lifetime trying to repay the kindness you’ve shown me. I love you dearly!”.
-
Education8 hours agoTeenage girl drag JAMB to court over alleged hijab ban during UTME
-
News11 hours agoTInubu admits taking tough decisions to enable Nigeria grow
-
News11 hours agoCourt orders blood transfusion for two-year-old girl despite her parents’ objections
-
Opinion22 hours agoCELEBRATING “BRO EHIGIE” AT 70
-
News6 hours agoDefections: It’s a massive betrayal against NNPP -Kwankwaso cries out
-
News12 hours agoWhy I Issued ‘Mock’ Apology To Akpabio – Natasha
-
News11 hours agoBritish-Nigerian art expert pleads guilty to terrorism financing
-
News11 hours agoIntroducing Ebule Oritsemeyiwa, a 16-yr-old who scored 334 in 2025 UTME