Billie Holiday is famously known for being an amazing jazz artist. She is currently in many hall of fames, including the Grammy Hall of Fame and other jazz-related hall of fames. There has been many tributes and honors to her for all her musical impacts.

Her song “Strange Fruit” has different forms of africanism like polyrhythms( sax & piano) and pitch inflection. This song is about the time of slavery in the United States, specifically the act of hanging of African Americans. As well as other tortuous and heinous acts committed to African Americans like setting them on fire.

Jazz music came about from roots in blues and ragtime. The purpose of jazz was to go against the norms, it was first introduced in order for an artist to go against the standards of society and music like marching bands. They created jazz to challenge the issues present in society. The fact that Billie Holiday’s music is about important issues helps categorize it a jazz music. I once in a while listen to jazz music because of the unusual beat it has compared to most of the mainstream music listen to today.  

By: Toluwanimi Araromi