Photo: Ron Kroon for Anefo, restored by Bammesk, CC0 — Source
American singer, pianist, songwriter, and civil rights activist whose music blended classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, and gospel into a singular, uncompromising style. Born Eunice Waymon, she aspired to be a classical concert pianist but was denied a scholarship to the Curtis Institute, an experience she attributed to racism. Songs like 'Mississippi Goddam,' 'Four Women,' and 'Young, Gifted and Black' became anthems of the Civil Rights Movement. Her intensity, political fearlessness, and musical genius made her a unique force in American culture. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Source: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame