Born February 12, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio, Arsenio Hall is a comedian, talk show host, writer, producer, and actor. He hosted the late night show Arsenio Hall Show from 1989 to 1994. A Baptist preacher’s son, Hall he grew up in a poor East Cleveland … Read MoreArsenio Hall (1956- )
In the extended article that appears below historians Daudi Abe and Quintard Taylor explore the history of African Americans in King County from 1858 to 2014. They analyze the forces which encouraged people of African ancestry to settle in the county and discuss the rapid … Read MoreFrom Memphis and Mogadishu: The History of African Americans in King County, Washington, 1858-2014
The Black Arts Movement was the name given to a group of politically motivated black poets, artists, dramatists, musicians, and writers who emerged in the wake of the Black Power Movement. The poet Imamu Amiri Baraka is widely considered to be the father of the … Read MoreThe Black Arts Movement (1965-1975)
MC, or Master of Ceremonies, is a term traditionally associated with someone who determines the forms to be observed on a public occasion, acts as host at a formal event, or is host for a program of entertainment. Since the 1970s the term MC (or … Read MoreMC/Master of Ceremonies (Emcee)
The Cold Crush Brothers, pioneering hip-hop performers, formed as a group in the Bronx, New York City, New York in 1978. Along with founder DJ Tony Tone, the group originally consisted of Easy A.D., DJ Charlie Chase, Mister Tee, Whipper Whip, and Dot-A-Rock. As hip-hop … Read MoreThe Cold Crush Brothers (1978- )
LL Cool J, rapper and actor, was born James Todd Smith, the only child of James and Ondrea Smith on January 14, 1968 in St. Albans, Queens, New York City, New York. Early in James’ life, the relationship between his mother and father turned violent … Read MoreLL Cool J [James Todd Smith] (1968- )
KRS-One, MC (Master of Ceremonies) producer, philosopher, and activist was born on August 20, 1965 to Jacqueline Jones and Sheffield Brown in South Bronx, New York City, New York. KRS’s mother was a secretary while his father, who worked as a handyman, was deported to … Read MoreKRS-One/Lawrence Kris Parker (1965- )
Eazy-E, pioneering West Coast rapper, producer and record label executive, was born Eric Lynn Wright to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California on September 3, 1963. His mother was a school administrator while his father worked at the post office. Eazy dropped out of … Read MoreEric Lynn “Eazy-E” Wright (1963-1995)
Kanye West, rapper, singer, producer, and entrepreneur was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 8, 1977 to Donda and Ray West. Donda was an English professor, and Ray, a former Black Panther, was an award winning photojournalist. West’s parents divorced when he was three, and … Read MoreKanye West/Kanye Omari West (1977- )
50 Cent, rapper, actor, and entrepreneur was born Curtis James Jackson III in Queens, New York to Sabrina Jackson on July 6, 1975. His mother, who had given birth when she was 15 years old, raised him by herself while dealing cocaine. She died when … Read MoreCurtis James (“50 Cent”) Jackson III (1975- )
