Bessie Smith was born on April 15, 1894, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to a poor family. Her early experiences as a singer in local gospel groups and traveling vaudeville troupes laid the groundwork for her future success as a blues vocalist. In the early 1920s, Smith began her professional music career, signing with Columbia Records in 1923. During her time with Columbia, she recorded over 160 songs, which were released on both sides of 78 rpm records. Her early discs, such as Down-Hearted Blues and Empire Blues, were modest commercial successes. However, it was not until 1925 that Smith's popularity soared with the release of her rendition of St. Louis Blues.

Smith's voice, a robust and expressive contralto, earned her the nickname 'Empress of the Blues.' Her music dealt with themes of heartbreak, love, and the struggles faced by African Americans during the Great Migration. She toured extensively throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, becoming one of the most popular and highest-paid performers of her time. Smith's impact on the development of blues music is immense, and she remains an influential figure to this day. Although her life was marked by personal struggles and tragedy, Bessie Smith's legacy continues to be celebrated through her timeless music.

Smith's discography includes numerous compilation albums, such as The Essential Bessie Smith and Greatest Hits, which showcase her incredible range and artistry. The 1920s were her most prolific period, during which she released albums like The 1923-1933 Empress of the Blues and Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Bessie Smith. She was a major influence on later generations of artists, including Janis Joplin, Janis Ian, and Odetta Holmes. Despite her untimely death in 1937, Smith's music continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of musicians.