Billie+Holiday

=Billie Holiday=

Overview
Billie Holiday was born in a poverty ridden area of Baltimore, Massachusetts. “Mom and Pop were just a couple of kids when they got married. He was eighteen, she was sixteen, and I was three,” said Billie Holiday. Her early plunge into adult life misfortune left and imprint, in the form of a police record, on her childhood at age 13. Throughout all of this destitution Billie Holiday sought refuge through her voice. It rang up and down the streets of New York as she began to show the world her song, her life. Billie Holiday captivated a generation. She was able to explain the true meaning of the blues, through her own eyes.

==Central Issue== Billie Holiday referred to herself as a “hip kitty”. TIME Magazine raved about, “A roly-poly young colored woman with a hump in her voice.” Count Basie’s Band was Billie’s first call to stardom; she was in her mid thirties. She began a contract with the Vocalion Company and paved the way for female African American vocalists. She performed at social attractions such as the Café Society and sang songs like Strange Fruit. Her songs were thought provoking, which gave substance to her performance. Because of her ethnicity, Billie Holiday was able to give depth to her writing, something “free” America desperately needed.

Strange Fruit
Southern trees bear a strange fruit //Blood on the leaves and blood on the root,// //Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze,// //Strange fruit hanging from the popular trees….//

Conclusion/Historical Significance
The blues to me are like being very sad, very sick—and again, like going to church and being very happy,” said Billie Holiday. There is no doubt the Ms. Holiday knew how to instill these emotions into her audiences. Billie Holiday captivated each crowd with her desperation pleads. Unfortunately, these calls were not heard by all; after a childhood of destitution, Billie Holiday returned to drug use. Another element was added to her life of blues. Her song kept a beat for the Civil Rights Movement. Billie Holiday will forever be remembered for her contributions to music as well as freedom.

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