Harry Belafonte | Born 1927

Born Harold George Belafonte, Jr., Harry Belafonte is known as a singer, actor, producer, and activist. The prime of Belafonte’s career was in the folk music scene of the 50s where he took credit for doing timeless renditions of Caribbean folk songs better known as calypsos. As an artist, Belafonte used his influence for numerous social causes including the civil rights movement.

A native of New York, Belafonte’s parents were emigrants from the islands of Martinique and Jamaica in the Caribbean. When his mother went home in 1935, Belafonte joined her and stayed there for 5 years. During the mid-40s, the singer left high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He eventually studied under the guidance of dramatist Erwin Piscator which led to a singing role that opened doors of opportunities for Belafonte. Among his critically-acclaimed songs are Day-O and Jamaica Farewell among others.