Against The Odds - The Story of Bessie Smith (1983)

4 роки тому

Short doc on the life of the Empress of The Blues, Bessie Smith.
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 - September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer. Nicknamed the Empress of the Blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. Bessie did not have access to an education because her parents had died and her elder sister was taking care of her.[1] She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on fellow blues singers, as well as jazz vocalists. - Wikipedia
Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
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КОМЕНТАРІ: 148

@joyceterrell3969 2 роки тому

I'm a Great Niece of Bessie Smith and I integrated Gar-Field High school in Woodbridge, Virginia. Thank you for keeping her legacy alive! Peace and love ❤

@Thewritingelf Рік тому

Wow ! Ms Terrell, if you don't mind, could you tell us how you managed to integrate the school and what your experiences were ? Of course that's if you want to. Blessings and Peace to you.

@oneiceb5974 4 роки тому

Loved the movie about her staring Queen Latifah

@millionmoes4290 4 роки тому

TACARA B I been looking for that movie

@vwalker58 4 роки тому

I did not see the movie yet.

@keenafromphilly 4 роки тому

Me too

@monicatodd7339 3 роки тому

Rahkem Aaten it’s on Hulu now. I just watched it

@nreed1108ify 3 роки тому

Just saw it yesterday it was phenomenal! Queen Latifah, Monique, Mike Epps, Khandi Alexander, Tory Kittles, Roc, Tiki Sumpter, Michael K. Williams, etc.

@yestolovepeace1864 4 роки тому

Man thank you so much for bringing us a wide variety of historical education on our people,! People we would never think to look up! 💕

@PhatGirlLuvr68Comix 4 роки тому

Another talented queen gone too soon

@IceManLikeGervin 4 роки тому

Against The Odds was a very solid tv show that had a lot of informative segments about many well known and not so well known people...Bessie Smith (RIP).

@dustcircle 3 роки тому

I can watch your anthology of videos all day. Thank you for preserving history and helping educate people. Love these.

@TeddyStrongBear 4 роки тому

Empress of the Blues 🎶👸🏽🎶

@taijohnson9139 3 роки тому

Queen Latifah definitely did her justice

@ahmad.tillery.1987 4 роки тому

RIP Bessie Smith

@SatansSimgma 3 роки тому

Love the music. Love her story. I didn't realize how much Latifah physically resembled her. They recorded this on equipment was so rudimentary that fact its good makes you realize how talented these folks were.

@chichi6796 4 роки тому

That saddened me. Thank you for telling her story.

@perspellman 3 роки тому

Just came here after the film Bessie and wanted to know more. Nice presentation, but just like Bessie Smith's life and even the film, it's too short.

@AdrienneSho_nuffInWashDC Рік тому

Thank you for sharing this. Great work 👏🏾

@floydthompson8668 2 роки тому

THANK YOU REELBLACK!

@TryRickPayton 4 роки тому

Rip Bessie Smith she had a beautiful voice. I listen to her music all the time when I can.

@Chutney1luv 4 роки тому

I'd heard of her life before; but not in 11 minutes! You were through and precise, with your information! Thanks for sharing! 👍🌹👍

@nstruebluey39 4 роки тому

I've never seen a doc on Bessie Smith. I've seen her movie, and studied her many years ago by reading.. but THIS is a first! :)

@djmspooh 4 роки тому

also Queen Latifiah did a movie on her as well.

@nstruebluey39 4 роки тому

djmspooh I saw that ❤️ it was good

@spirituallysoaringhigh6089 3 роки тому

Yup Bessie

@nicolascarey6330 3 роки тому

I first discovered Bessie Smith from a BBC documentary 40 or 50 years ago. It had more unadulterated music in it than this. Thinking back, I think it reconstructed parts of her life. Anyway, I have been a fan ever since,

@rucianapollard4057 4 роки тому

A very good documentary. I grew up about 20 miles where Miss Smith's accident occurred. We were always told she was refused treat at the white hospital and died of her injuries. I later read that no ambulance would have taken her to the white hospital in the first place, she was taken to the black hospital, but her injuries were too grave to save her life. One of her arms was nearly ripped from the shoulder socket. Truth is, she would have died no matter which hospital she was taken to, she was in severe shock when 1st responders arrived.

@rucianapollard4057 4 роки тому

@Free Spirit It was the 1930s in Mississippi, so unfortunately, ifbshe had been taken to the white hospital, she would have had to wait for others to be treated before her. That's the way is was in the USA back then.

@carolynhowell9768 4 роки тому

@Free Spirit During the 1930s blacks were not allowed to attend white hospitals no matter what happened to them. Due to Jim Crow laws.

@Xboxmelon 4 роки тому

Mo lip

@jerryblair2339 3 роки тому

I loved the Oueen as Bessie what a talent ahead of her time.

@bennieharris7358 4 роки тому

My great great mother told me Bessie Smith was the first person she saw live. But BB king was her favorite.

@sissyblackwidowspider7529 4 роки тому

The Most Beautiful video. Had Mis, B.Smith lived .She would have gone up again.the world lost A a jewel at that time. I'm so glad to learn these things I pass it on to everyone I know to let them see real talent real history thank you thank you👍🏼❗❤

@tbreez6945 4 роки тому

Her voice was stellar! Thank you so much for sharing this...

@DizzyD1693 5 місяців тому

𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎

@christopherwilliams7792 4 роки тому

This is really inspiring to me ❤️💗💕

@millionmoes4290 4 роки тому

Good production

@nikradik 3 роки тому

Thnx for the download..this is awesome

@aunebobb1325 3 роки тому

Thanks for sharing very well told documentary. The movie Bessie is good.

@breezey64 3 роки тому

That was well done. 👍🏽

@lesslycarthan956 3 роки тому

The blues is everything of American music I'm a hip hop b-boy of 45yrs I play 5 instruments read and write sheet music and it all started with blues record's in my parents basement in 1976. I danced in 1979 performed hip hop rap dance and dj in 86 I recorded my first single 10yrs later had the best Xmas single in the state of Georgia. I'm 1998 had a second gold single.and recorded 10 Los 76 song library with a 20yr career all built off the blue's

@fairisfair2986 4 роки тому

I love her song put it right here omg

@TMac1963. 3 роки тому

In college, I had to do a compare/contrast essay, and I wrote on Bessie Smith and Tupac Shakur. The contrast was easy, different sex, era, etc.. But the compare was the hard part. But both had legal/going to jail problems. Neither had interest in crossing over with their music, really were speaking to people l8ke theirselves. Both childhoods were a bit traumatic. And I had more, but it was a long time ago. I have read a lot about Bessie, and since then I watched the movie, and I throughly enjoyed this feature!

@lindamaemullins5151 3 роки тому

❤️

@joyceterrell3969 2 роки тому

I'm a Great Niece of Bessie Smith. Thanks for the insight and keeping her legacy alive. Peace and love ❤

@sisyaffayahyisrael2112 4 роки тому

Success is a curse in the entertainment industry

@robertbright-jc3sd 4 роки тому

The picture of the couple standing and sitting in the car was taken in HARLEM between Lenox &5th Avenue or Lenox & 7th Avenue.

@shondasmith5470 2 роки тому

She died in the primary of her life RIP Bessie Smith

@conniefreeman8319 3 роки тому

I'm from Chattanooga love Bessie

@45bombom 4 роки тому

Talk about development hell, I read a small write up in JET magazine I think the year was ‘93 about a movie being made about Bessie Smith. And Queen Latifah was being considered to play the lead role!

@natrlgrl 3 роки тому

I saw that movie starring Queen Latifah.

@davisrc3795 3 роки тому

thx. it helped so mutch to do my homework

@honeyluv32690 3 роки тому

This narration is awesome lol

@steviearmstrong7412 4 роки тому

#LongLiveTheLegendary Bessie Smith

@blancamiranda6661 4 роки тому

Thanks,great content never read anything on Bessie Smith ⭐

@theresawebb1806 3 роки тому

Happy this vame out finally talent seem the file test hope to see it .

@sheilahendrix5935 3 роки тому

Peace❤ and Blessings 💛Too All My Brothers 💚And Sisters💕 May God Bless 💛Everyone 💜Always Much Love 💙Blessings❣ Always ❤ 🙏 ✨ 🌐🎇🌈💞💞💞❤❤❤

@keba773 3 роки тому

Omg Queen Latifah look like her on that thumb nail picture

@AndreaTAndreaT 3 роки тому

Thank God, I was born in an era where we learned about people like Bessie Smith. We learned about the talent, not all that other stuff. I shared with my children 😀

@joyl4187 3 роки тому

She almost looks like Queen Latifah

@natrlgrl 3 роки тому

Queen Latifah played her in a movie.

@juliansearcie1758 3 роки тому

Nope

@missayawk 2 роки тому

Queen Latifah almost looks like her.Can definitely pass for kin.Latifah did her justice in the movie.

@sheilahendrix5935 3 роки тому

Much ❤Love 💙 Blessings 💕Always ❤ 🙏 💛 🌐🎇🌈💯💯💯

@niecybaker7388 3 роки тому

Rip empress of the blues.....❣🖤😇👄🙏🤎

@nikradik 3 роки тому

I saw saw the movie about Ma may..but I wished it got more involved with her life and more of her nusic

@pinklady6224 4 роки тому

Bessie Smith was in a car accident and when rushed to the hospital, she was refused medical care, and she died.

@thephoenix2176 4 роки тому

😮 - Our ancestors suffered the unimaginable... The chickens are here to roost!

@karajones4638 4 роки тому

Like now

@cgogetit 3 роки тому

Who told you that lie? And how could she refuse medical care with her arm nearly torn off?

@aya9af 3 роки тому

@@cgogetit "She was refused medical care" means they refused to treat her because it was a white hospital

@charminrodgers2855 3 роки тому

@@aya9af Exactly we were always refused care by white doctors and hospitals in the dirty jim crow south back in the day!!

@morrismsmith7997 3 роки тому

🙏

@TheRetroEngine 3 роки тому

I came looking for info on bessie via AXL ROSE... how weird. But how cool. Never heard her before. Now checking all of it

@lindamaemullins5151 3 роки тому

😲never heard of Bessie Smith-you are blessed now that you do☺️🥰

@internetuser7156 Рік тому

💔

@lindamayshack6993 3 роки тому

I am so late about seeing the movie. I wish that I can see it . I wonder if I can find how R where can I see it.

@caramelkimmiekim8272 3 роки тому

Wow her whole family was a tragic, her mom and her two brothers died when Bessie wad 8 years old then later in life she died in car accident at 43 years old her boyfriend was driving the car

@learningadventureswithchay9892 3 роки тому

🥰

@sheilahendrix5935 3 роки тому

May 💙God Be With 💕Everyone Always✌ May God 💕Bless Everyone ❤Richly💙 with everything they❤ need Always💙 Much Love Blessings ❤Always ❤ 🙏 ✨ ✌✌💞💞💕💕💕💯💯💯💯✌✌✌

@mariaisabelespinosa7954 3 роки тому

me gustaria reibir la biografia de bessi smith en español

@KellieEverts--conductsNightTra 3 роки тому

for nickels & domes, performed on the street. OK say she was 18, it was 1910. A nickel then was $1.38 today & a dime was $2.77. So they threw that much to the performer. Not bad.

@creonodelljr.4242 4 роки тому

Does anyone know the name of the song @2:40. Thanks

@ercm2393 2 роки тому

Sad life.

@katrinahameed4543 4 роки тому

😥

@ACloutToken 2 роки тому

does anyone know the song in the background at 2:43

@leovermeiren 3 роки тому

👍🧡😎

@lnyawilliamsmoore4380 3 роки тому

Correction: Indigenous aboriginal native copper colored of Turtle Island the Niigi

@tiffiebaebee 3 роки тому

Facts. This is American music! Period.

@wyndhleodumegwu253 2 роки тому

I taught that Bessie's Indigenous (Native) Heritage was African (Hebrew-Israelites), and that she herself was ancestrally American African/African-American!

@secularguildportal 4 роки тому

The only story is. She was murdered.

@thephoenix2176 3 роки тому

😯

@nikradik 3 роки тому

Huh..omg

@804smiles 3 роки тому

I would've loved to have been able 2 spend 1 night hanging out drinking smoking & chasing women around the town wit Bessie Smith & Ma Rainey jus once! 😆

@nikradik 3 роки тому

Lmaaaaao can u imagine

@lindamaemullins5151 3 роки тому

❤️

@804smiles 3 роки тому

@@nikradik I know right I know we would've pulled all the ladies man having orgies all over the city! 😆 I can only imagine I didn't think anybody would understand where I was coming from on that so thanks fam!

@sheranda77 2 роки тому

Well in that case, I see that queen latifah was the perfect person to play her.

@rosalindhampton24 4 роки тому

"You learn something new EVADAY" 🤔💭

@austingoins3926 4 роки тому

Upload BET Awards 06 hosted by Damon Wayans And Upload t.i. vh1 storytellers

@beespice2772 3 роки тому

Why queen looks just like her.

@gussfrits5272 3 роки тому

Everyone pay attention to where she says before they became Christians. Please watch Israelite videos Street preachers.

@shamaneikajohnson7117 4 роки тому

I don't know if it's true or not but I heard that Bessie Smith was an undercover lesbian.

@keyastreeter529 4 роки тому

Y would u say that u should've kept that to ur self

@Lasheem 4 роки тому

That's her business

@jeffertonalive8536 4 роки тому

She's wasn't undercover, She had a song called BD(BullDagger) Woman Blues

@sayitloudblcknproud 4 роки тому

She was s lesbian.

@keyastreeter529 4 роки тому

Why does it matter's if she was a lesbian

@blackattackcat 3 роки тому

There is a popular theory that Bessie Smith reincarnated into Janis Joplin. I watched the channeller Sloan Bella and Janis Joplin referenced her most recent past life she was also in show business but was unable to achieve the fame she deserved because of "circumstances". Perhaps she meant being black in the 1920's and 30's.

@rossiethomas 3 роки тому

This comment is stupid a great black American Bessie was don’t tarnish her image with the likes of Janis

@Pinckman1360 3 роки тому

@@rossiethomas Thank you.

@rossiethomas 3 роки тому

@@Pinckman1360 I can’t stand people like that grinds my gears

@lucindayu2541 Рік тому

The local white government 😅in 1894. The mother of Blues played an essential role to her later success. The business of entertainment was run by White People at the time in year 1920s.😊I think Amy Winehouse later on copied her voice and her vocal Technik.