From Ma Rainey to Frankie Lymon to RuPaul, African American musicians have achieved several firsts in the past one hundred years. Celebrate over a century of historical accomplishments with iconic musicians who continue to musically inspire current and future generations.
Easy Winners by Scott Joplin
Charles Tindley publishes the gospel song "I’ll Overcome Someday."
First black to sing the blues in a professional show.
First black composer to write a black folk opera.
Shuffle Along opens on Broadway.
First record company owned and operated by a black person. Later known as Black Swan Records, they were the first widely distributed label to be owned and operated by, and marketed to, African Americans.
"Downhearted Blues" by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake.
The Vogue of the New Negro.
First record made by a black person that has sold over a million copies.
Josephine Baker’s Révue Nègre takes Paris by storm.
