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Rest in peace, Betty Wright.
All the back to back artistic loss is tragic.
But these legends NEED to be memorialized. Please continue celebrating their life’s work/achievements.
1/5) Miss Wright was the 1st Black woman to release a Gold record on her OWN label: Miss B Records.
All the back to back artistic loss is tragic.
But these legends NEED to be memorialized. Please continue celebrating their life’s work/achievements.
1/5) Miss Wright was the 1st Black woman to release a Gold record on her OWN label: Miss B Records.
2/5) A teenage Betty Wright broke through as a solo artist in the 70s, but she had started her musical journey as a toddler (seriously) with her siblings in the Gospel group, Echoes of Joy.
20+ years later, she was getting name-checked in gangsta rap classics. RANGE.
20+ years later, she was getting name-checked in gangsta rap classics. RANGE.
3/5) And speaking of range, Miss Wright has worked with countless artists from duets to vocal arrangements to vocal coaching to having her music sampled - everyone from Stevie Wonder to The Roots to Lil Wayne was touched by this woman’s power & presence.
4/5) But although Betty’s music was often sampled, she had to take legal action for unauthorized usage of the live “Tonight Is The Night” in Color Me Badd's “I Wanna Sex U Up”.
She received 35% of the royalties + performed both @ North Sea Jazz in 2011.
She received 35% of the royalties + performed both @ North Sea Jazz in 2011.
5/5) Sampling is the cornerstone of droves of popular music + when used creatively, it can present classic to a new generation.
Example: Betty Wright sings "Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do" ---> and then Beyoncé, Swizz & Cameron "Upgrade U".
Example: Betty Wright sings "Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do" ---> and then Beyoncé, Swizz & Cameron "Upgrade U".
BONUS:
When folx tell me they don't know of a certain artist or haven't heard anything from their catalog, I try to think of a connecting factor in their own landscape to illustrate the overreaching influence of said artist.
My "helping hand" #TLCConnections, if you will. :)
When folx tell me they don't know of a certain artist or haven't heard anything from their catalog, I try to think of a connecting factor in their own landscape to illustrate the overreaching influence of said artist.
My "helping hand" #TLCConnections, if you will. :)
So for others who may not understand the importance of Betty Wright, I wanted to add a quick addendum.
Even though I used R&B/rap/soul examples in that mini-thread because those are MY preferred genres + Betty *was* an R&B/soul singer, Betty did it all. (Go listen!)
Even though I used R&B/rap/soul examples in that mini-thread because those are MY preferred genres + Betty *was* an R&B/soul singer, Betty did it all. (Go listen!)
In fact, one of the biggest comeback moments in pop culture history was touched by Betty.
When Gloria Estefan took to the American Music Awards stage in 1991 to "come out of the dark" after a devasting accident + back injury; Betty was a part of it.
When Gloria Estefan took to the American Music Awards stage in 1991 to "come out of the dark" after a devasting accident + back injury; Betty was a part of it.
Betty arranged the harmonies of that #1 hit song, and sang in the background choir (she also worked w Gloria on backgrounds for other projects).
From this performance in 1993, Gloria brings Betty to the forefront (around 3:23) to spotlight her greatness.
From this performance in 1993, Gloria brings Betty to the forefront (around 3:23) to spotlight her greatness.
