The Rise of Mamie Smith and the Impact on Race Records

The chapter chronicles the journey of Mamie Smith, a vaudeville entertainer who became the first black female artist to record blues music, challenging industry stereotypes. Her groundbreaking song 'Crazy Blues' became a massive success among black consumers, reshaping the music industry's approach to targeting different demographics. The chapter also explores the broader impact of Mamie Smith on the race records industry and the subsequent rise of black artists, discussing issues of cultural appropriation and unequal distribution of benefits within the music industry.