Bessie Smith, photograph by Carl Van Vechten
1936
by Carl Van Vechten
from United States
Photography and Film
Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Van Vechten Collection, Library of Congress
The Empress of the Blues became popular for her singing and for her lyrics that appealed to African American working people and women in particular
Bessie Smith, nicknamed Empress of the Blues, incorporated commentary on social issues like poverty, intra-racial conflict, and female sexuality into her lyrics
Page created on 4/2/2019 5:26:39 PM
Last edited 4/2/2019 5:42:26 PM
