Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was one of the most influential blues singers of the 1920s and 1930s. She was born in 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and began her singing career at a young age performing on street corners. Smith's powerful voice, emotional delivery, and ability to interpret blues and jazz songs made her a star of the Harlem Renaissance.

She signed with Columbia Records in the 1920s and recorded numerous hits, including "Downhearted Blues," "Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer," and "Empty Bed Blues." Smith's recordings were hugely popular, and she became one of the highest-paid Black performers of her time.

Despite the challenges of racial segregation and discrimination, Smith broke barriers for Black artists in the music industry. She paved the way for future generations of Black performers and inspired countless musicians with her soulful voice and passionate performances.

Tragically, Smith's life was cut short in 1937 when she died in a car accident at the age of 43. However, her legacy lives on through her timeless recordings and her enduring impact on the blues and music history. Bessie Smith remains a beloved icon in Black history and the history of American music.