Cincinnati hip-hop artivist is building on foundation created by pioneering blues singer
WCPO 9 is exploring the work of Mamie Smith and Siri Imani as part of its long-running Black History Month series called âThen and Nowâ describing the contributions of an African American trailblazer from Greater Cincinnatiâs past and a modern-day counterpart.
and last updated 2021-02-16 17:46:15-05
CINCINNATI â Cincinnati-born Mamie Smith became the first Black performer to sing on a commercial blues recording in 1920 then changed the course of music history a few months later when her record âCrazy Bluesâ became a smash hit.
âIt opened this commercial space for recordings by Black artists, popular music by Black artists, and that, I mean needless to say, that door has never closed,â said John Jeremiah Sullivan, a contributing writer for âThe New York Times Magazineâ who has researched Smithâs life and career. âThe line from Mam