Bessie Smith, the 6-foot, 200-pound Empress of the Blues, commanded stage and street with a fierce violence and a resonant, endless well of a voice. Born in Chattanooga, Tennesee, in 1894, Smith began her career singing on street corners. Under the mentorship of "Ma" Rainey, one of the most popular p

Ecstatic, Gritty, In-your-face, Violent

"Who you callin' a bitch?" demands Queen Latifah in her song, "U. N. I. T. Y." -- and she expects an answer with respect. This performer has been many things in her life: singer, hip-hop goddess, actress, feminist, impresario. Perhaps she's even been a bitch, but make no mistake -- all roles have bee

Feminist, In-your-face, Primal, Sensual

Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American musician. He performs under the mononymous name of Prince, but has also been known by various other names, among them an unpronounceable symbol, leading fans and critics to dub him The Artist Formerly Known As Prince or

Eclectic, Excessive, Feminine, Funk, In-your-face, Moody, Sexy, Smarty arty pop, Wise assy

In 1981, New York witnessed the formation of the first successful white hip-hop group. Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA emerged from the hard-core punk scene of the late 1970s and fought for our right to party to a different sound. Their "Licensed to Ill" sold 720,000 copies in six weeks, making it Columbia'

Agitated, Bombast, Clever, Ebullient, In-your-face, Sardonic, Wise assy