Singer and actor Harry Belafonte, identified for breaking racial obstacles, has died on the age of 96. The legendary singer handed away of congestive coronary heart failure on Tuesday morning within the presence of his wife.
Belafonte was a pioneer of the civil rights motion and paved the best way for a lot of new African American performers along with his music. He was identified for popularizing Jamaican mento folks songs with a global viewers and was referred to as the ‘King of Calypso’. Learn on to know extra in regards to the activist’s life and profession.
Singer-Activist Harry Belafonte Dies at 96
Belafonte’s spokesman Ken Sunshine confirmed his demise with a press release on Tuesday. Born in 1927 to Jamaican-born dad and mom, Belafonte attended George Washington Excessive Faculty and joined the US Navy afterward.
Within the late Nineteen Forties, he received enrolled on the Dramatic Workshop of The New Faculty in New York and took lessons in performing alongside German director Erwin Piscator. Belafonte additionally studied folks tune archives on the US Library of Congress and went on to sing in golf equipment in New York to earn cash for his performing class payment.
He shot to fame in 1956 with the discharge of his album Calypso, that includes the hit single Day-O (The Banana Boat Tune). The album was an prompt hit, changing into the primary LP to promote over one million copies, and established Belafonte as a global star.
Throughout his profession, Belafonte launched over 30 albums, promoting thousands and thousands of copies worldwide. He additionally collaborated with famend artists together with Miriam Makeba, Lena Horne, and Odetta.
Belafonte was a Three-Time Grammy Winner
The singer received three Grammys in his profession, together with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Along with his music profession, he has additionally appeared in a number of movies and tv exhibits, together with Buck and the Preacher, White Man’s Burden, Kansas Metropolis, Carmen Jones, and The Participant.
Belafonte persistently highlighted struggles confronted by African Individuals and different oppressed teams and have become an outspoken advocate for social justice and equality. His involvement within the 1963 March on Washington is one among his most vital contributions to the civil rights motion.
Along with his civil rights work, Belafonte has additionally been actively concerned in humanitarian efforts, together with reduction work for victims of pure disasters and humanitarian crises throughout the globe. He served as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and in addition received a number of honors for his charity.
Tributes Pour in for the Singer
Various celebs and followers have paid tribute to Harry Belafonte on social media. Oprah Winfrey wrote, “One other “GREAT TREE” has fallen: Harry Belafonte, a Trailblazer and Hero to us all. Thanks to your music, your artistry, your activism, your battle for civil rights and justice—particularly risking your life again within the day to get cash to the motion.”
Singer Jon Legend tweeted, “I cherished Mr Belafonte and I’m so grateful for his revolutionary work and his large affect on our nation and the world. I discovered that he handed simply earlier than this interview. He labored so laborious and did a lot. Might he get his well-deserved relaxation.”
Might Harry Belafonte’s soul relaxation in peace! Keep tuned for extra information and updates.
