Rhythm and Blues ensemble Ruby & the Romantics began in 1961 when the Supremes, an all-male quartet in Akron, Ohio, and Akronite, an all-female quartet, combined their musical talents. The group included lead singer Ruby Nash Garnett, born on June 15, 1934, to David Nash … Read MoreRuby & the Romantics (1961-1971)
Dee Sharp, is a popular American R&B singer, known for “Mashed Potatoes Time,” a number one hit in 1962. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 9, 1945, as Dione LaRue. LaRue has a musical background as a lead singer of group of gospel-singing … Read MoreDee Dee Sharp (1945- )
Marcel Theo Hall was born on April 8, 1964, in Harlem, New York. The Hall family then lived in Rome, New York, before settling in Patchogue, Long Island. Hall combined his mother’s nickname for him, “Busy B,” his childhood nickname, “Markie,” along with his favorite … Read MoreBiz Markie (1964-2021)
Robert Rihmeek Williams, also known as Meek Mill, is a rapper, songwriter, and activist. Williams was born on May 6, 1987 to Kathy Williams and an unnamed father in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Williams’s father died when he was five years old in a robbery attempt. Growing … Read MoreMeek Mill/ Robert Rihmeek Williams (1987- )
Melissa “Missy” Arnette Elliott, songwriter, rapper, and music producer, was born on July 1, 1971 to power company dispatcher Patricia Elliott and U.S. Marine Ronnie Elliott at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. Elliott had a troubled childhood while the family lived in Jacksonville, North Carolina. … Read MoreMissy Elliott (1971- )
Michael Santiago “Killer Mike” Render is a rapper, actor, and activist who was born on April 20, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. His unnamed father was a policeman, and his mother, Denise Render were a florist. Render was raised by his grandparents; he lived in the … Read MoreMichael Santiago “Killer Mike” Render (1975- )
Johnny Lester (Johnny) Nash Jr. was a singer-songwriter and actor, best known for his 1972 hit song “I Can See Clearly Now.” Nash was born on August 19, 1940 in Houston, Texas, to Eliza (Armstrong) and John Lester Nash. He sang in his church choir … Read MoreJohnny Nash (1940-2020)
Actor Justin “Jussie” Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, on June 21, 1982, to a biracial family. His father, Joel Smollett, is Jewish, and his mother, Janet Smollett, is African American. The couple have five other children: Jake, Jojo, Jocqui, Jurnee, and Jazz, but … Read MoreJustin “Jussie” Smollett (1982- )
Jeffrey Townes is an actor, comedian, record producer, and is more commonly known as “DJ Jazzy Jeff.” Townes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 22, 1965. He began working in music by the age of 10. Townes attended local schools and graduated from John … Read MoreJeffrey Allen (DJ Jazzy Jeff) Townes (1965- )
