Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown, born on January twelfth, nineteen twenty-eight, was a remarkable American singer-songwriter and actress, often celebrated as the 'Queen of R&B'. Her unique ability to infuse pop music styles into rhythm and blues led to a series of chart-topping hits for Atlantic Records during the 1950s, including classics like 'So Long', 'Teardrops from My Eyes', and '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean'. This significant contribution to the music industry earned Atlantic Records the nickname 'the house that Ruth built', a nod to the legendary Yankee Stadium.

In nineteen ninety-three, Brown was honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing her profound impact on the music landscape. Following a resurgence in her career that began in the mid-seventies and reached its zenith in the eighties, she became a vocal advocate for musicians' rights, particularly concerning royalties and contracts. Her efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

Brown's talent extended beyond recording, as she showcased her skills in the Broadway musical 'Black and Blue', earning a Tony Award for her performance. The original cast recording of the show also garnered a Grammy Award, further solidifying her legacy in the entertainment industry. In two thousand sixteen, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and in two thousand seventeen, she was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

In two thousand twenty-three, Rolling Stone recognized her extraordinary vocal talent by ranking her number one hundred forty-six on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Additionally, Brown held a special place in the heart of emcee Rakim, who referred to her as an 'aunt', highlighting the close familial bonds she fostered throughout her life.