Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was a pioneering African American blues singer in the 1920s and 1930s. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1894 and overcame a challenging upbringing to become one of the most successful and influential female blues singers of her time.

Smith's powerful voice and emotive delivery made her a standout performer in the male-dominated blues scene. She recorded numerous hit songs, including "Downhearted Blues," "St. Louis Blues," and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out."

Bessie Smith's impact on Black history lies in her role as a trailblazer for future generations of Black female musicians. She achieved commercial success and critical acclaim during a time of widespread racial prejudice and segregation in America. Smith's music spoke to the struggles and experiences of African Americans, and her legacy helped pave the way for other Black artists to gain recognition in the music industry.

Tragically, Bessie Smith's life was cut short in a car accident in 1937, but her contributions to the world of music and Black culture continue to be celebrated and remembered to this day.