Ma Rainey, often called the “Mother of the Blues,” was celebrated for her powerful voice and stage presence, which captivated audiences in the early 20th century. Born Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett in 1886 in Georgia, she began performing as a teenager and later married Will “Pa” Rainey, forming a successful double act. Later Ma Rainey divorced Pa and created her own successful show “Madame Gertrude Ma Rainey and Her Georgia Smart Set.” Ma Rainey was instrumental in blending vaudeville with Southern blues, drawing on African storytelling traditions. She was known for her strong voice and vibrant stage presence; often adorned with gold teeth, fine jewelry, and exquisitely characteristic clothing. Ma Rainey’s lyrics and heartfelt performances left the crowd feeling a deep personal connection to her lyrics.

Despite the challenges faced by African-American performers, she thrived on the Theater Owners Booking Association circuit, attracting diverse audiences. Ma Rainey signed a recording contract with Paramount Records in 1923, making her one of the earliest recorded blues musicians. Between 1923 and 1928, she recorded almost 100 records, many of them national hits that are now part of the American musical canon. Her 1924 recording of “See See Rider Blues” (for which she was accompanied by a young Louis Armstrong) was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2004.

Her lyrics often depicted women's struggles and empowerment, challenging societal norms. Rainey mentored other blues singers and inspired artists like Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Big Mama Thornton, and Janis Joplin. Her life and music influenced the acclaimed play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. After her recording career waned, she continued to perform and manage theaters in Columbus, Georgie alongside her remaining family until her death in 1939 at 53. Ma Rainey's legacy endures through her music and impact on the blues genre.