Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was a pioneering African American blues singer who rose to fame during the 1920s and 1930s. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1894 and began her singing career at a young age, performing on street corners and in local vaudeville shows.

Smith's powerful voice and emotionally rich delivery made her one of the most popular and influential blues singers of her time. She recorded numerous hit songs, including "Downhearted Blues," "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," and "Backwater Blues."

Despite facing racism and segregation in the music industry, Smith achieved great success and became one of the highest-paid African American performers of her era. She toured extensively and performed for integrated audiences, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of Black artists.

Tragically, Smith's life was cut short when she died in a car accident in 1937. However, her legacy lives on as one of the greatest voices in American music history and a trailblazer for Black artists in the blues genre.