Mamie Smith

By: Tim Hamza

Who is Mamie Smith?
Mamie Smith was a pioneering African American singer, actress, and dancer, born on
May 26, 1883, in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. She rose to prominence during the early 20th
century as one of the first African American artists to record blues and jazz music,
making significant contributions to the development of these genres.
Where she Started off
Smith began her career as a dancer in vaudeville shows and minstrelsy, showcasing her
talents on stage across the United States. In 1920, she made history by becoming the
first African American woman to record blues music when she signed a contract with
the Okeh Records label.
What was she Known for? (Part one)
Her groundbreaking recording of "Crazy Blues" in 1920 became an unexpected
commercial success, selling over a million copies and sparking widespread interest in
blues music among both black and white audiences. This achievement not only
established Mamie Smith as a prominent figure in the music industry but also paved
the way for other African American artists to gain recognition and opportunities in the
recording industry.
What was she Known for? (Part two)
Following the success of "Crazy Blues," Smith continued to record a series of hit songs,
including "It's Right Here for You," "Goin' Crazy with the Blues," and "Mean Daddy
Blues." Her powerful and soulful voice, combined with her charismatic stage presence,
made her a beloved figure in the emerging jazz and blues scenes of the 1920s.
Other Things she Did
In addition to her music career, Mamie Smith also ventured into acting, appearing in
several films during the 1920s and 1930s. She broke barriers as one of the first African
American women to star in motion pictures, despite the racial segregation and
discrimination prevalent in the film industry at the time.
Her End
Throughout her life, Mamie Smith remained a trailblazer and an inspiration to
countless artists, paving the way for future generations of African American
performers. Her contributions to blues and jazz music, as well as her achievements in
film, have left an indelible mark on American culture, solidifying her legacy as a
pioneering figure in the history of African American entertainment. Mamie Smith
passed away on September 16, 1946, leaving behind a rich musical and cultural heritage
that continues to resonate to this day.
Greatest Hits

Crazy Blues
Lonesome Mama Blues
Frankie Blues
Mamie Smith Blues
Lovesick Blues
My Favorite Hit
My favorite of Mamie Smith’s greatest hits was Lonesome Mama Blues. I really enjoyed
listening to it and I could feel the energy in the music and I thought it was really nice
to listen to.
Works Cited
Garner, Carla. “Mamie Smith (1883-1946) •.” •MAMIE SMITH (1883-1946), 20 May 2021,
www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/smith-mamie-1883-1946/.

Grueter. “Mamie Smith Was Queen of the Blues! Read about Her Life Here and Her Return to
Cincinnati with a Popular Performance in Music Hall.” Friends of Music Hall, 9 Aug. 2020,
https://friendsofmusichall.org/2020/08/08/mamie-smith-queen-of-the-blues-in-cincinnati-music-h
all/.

“Mamie Smith.” TeachRock, https://teachrock.org/people/smith-mamie/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.

Mamie Smith - Crazy Blues (1920). www.youtube.com,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaz4Ziw_CfQ. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.