Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Douglas was born on October 13, 1980, to Tina Douglas, a former dance teacher, and Ken-Kaide Thomas Douglas, a former singer, in Glen Gove, New York. She also has a younger sister named Kenashia “Shia” … Read MoreAshanti Shequoiya Douglas (1980- )
Toni Michele Braxton is an R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. Braxton was born on October 7, 1967, to Michael Conrad Braxton Sr, a Methodist clergyman, and Evelyn Jackson Braxton, opera singer, and cosmetologist, in Severn, Maryland. Braxton is the eldest of six siblings. Growing up, … Read MoreToni Michele Braxton (1967- )
R&B singer, lyricist Ciara was born Ciara Princess Harris on October 25, 1985, in Austin, Texas, to Carlton Clay Harris of the US Army and Jackie Smith-Harris, a member of the US Air Force. Because of the demands of the military, however, the Harris family … Read MoreCiara/Ciara Princess Wilson (1985- )
Composer, lyricist, producer Frankie Beverly was born Howard Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and reared in the East Germantown section of the city. He began singing gospel music in a local church and was showcased as a soloist as a child. In … Read MoreFrankie Beverly (1946- )
Katorah Kasanova Marrero is an American Hip Hop artist, lyricist, and YouTube star known by her performance name Young MA (Young Me. Always). Born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 3, 1992. Young MA’s mother, Latifa, is Jamaican, and her father, who became incarcerated when … Read MoreYoung MA/Katorah Kasanova Marrero (1992- )
Composer, conductor, lyricist, singer Andraé Edward Crouch was born on July 1, 1942, along with a twin sister, Sandra, in Compton, Los Angeles, California, to parents Benjamin, a minister, and Catherine Hodnett Crouch, manager of dry-cleaning operations. His older brother was Benjamin Crouch. They were … Read MoreAndraé Edward Crouch (1942-2015)
Rock and Roll and R&B singer and songwriter Bobby Day was best known for his only major hit “Rockin’ Robin” recorded in 1957 on the Classic Label. In 1958, the single, written by Leon Rene under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas, reached no. 1 on the … Read MoreBobby Day/Robert James Byrd (1930-1990)
Gospel singer, songwriter, and choir director Kirk Dewayne Franklin was born Kirk Smith in Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas, on January 26, 1970. His parents were teenagers, and his mother abandoned him at the age of 3, leaving him with his great Aunt Gertrude Franklin. Gertrude … Read MoreKirk Franklin (1970- )
Composer, singer, and producer John William “Johnny” Bristol, Sr. was born on February 3, 1939, in Morganton, North Carolina. He attended Olive Hill High School in the city and performed with a singing group called The Jackets that appeared at school functions. He graduated in … Read MoreJohnny Bristol (1939-2004)
English actress, singer and songwriter Cynthia Onyedinamanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo was born in Stockwell, London, England, on January 8, 1987. Both of her parents were immigrants from Nigeria and separated when Erivo was very young. Her mother, Edith, worked as a nurse and raised Erivo and … Read MoreCynthia Erivo (1987- )
