Who Is Ma Rainey? How the Mother of the Blues Became an Icon Author: Latifah Muhammad Updated: 9:00 AM MST December 18, 2020
Ma Rainey’s title as the “mother of the blues” is an ode to her unremitted genius in transforming the genre despite a relatively short recording career. Now streaming on Netflix,
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring Viola Davis as the brazen blues legend and Chadwick Boseman in his final film role, has brought new attention to Rainey’s mystifying story.
Adapted from August Wilson’s Broadway play of the same name, the film explores an intense 1927 Chicago recording session between Rainey and her band members, with Davis delivering an unapologetic portrayal of the singer.
By Latifah Muhammad Donaldson Collection/Getty Images
Ma Rainey’s title as the “mother of the blues” is an ode to her unremitted genius in transforming the genre despite a relatively short recording career. Now streaming on Netflix,
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring Viola Davis as the brazen blues legend and Chadwick Boseman in his final film role, has brought new attention to Rainey’s mystifying story.
Adapted from August Wilson’s Broadway play of the same name, the film explores an intense 1927 Chicago recording session between Rainey and her band members, with Davis delivering an unapologetic portrayal of the singer.
Ma Rainey was also married twice to two men. She was with her first husband, Will Rainey, for at least 10 years before separating, according to the
New York Times. She eventually married again to a younger man, but his name is unknown and other details are scarce.
Ma Rainey openly sang about her affairs with women.
Three of Ma s hundreds of songs contain references to her bisexuality. The most famous example, Prove It on Me Blues (1928) was recorded near the end of her contract with Paramount, and contains the lyrics:
Where she went, I don t know
I mean to follow everywhere she goes;