Harry Belafonte, the barrier-breaking singer, actor, and activist died at the age of 96 at his home in New York City (The New York Times). The iconic “Day-O” singer popularized the Calypso musical style with his famous song “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” (ABC News). He was born on March 1, 1927, in Harlem, New York City (NBC News).
Belafonte grew up in poverty and struggled to find his place in the entertainment industry (The Washington Post). Nevertheless, he rose to popularity in the 1950s and was the first artist to sell a million albums in a year, breaking racial barriers in the music industry (Sky News). He was not only a performer, but he was also a key ally of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights struggle (The Washington Post).
Belafonte was not afraid to use his platform to speak out for social justice issues. He was involved in various political and social causes and was a supporter of Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign (USA Today). He was a crusader for human rights and helped to bring attention to the global slave trade by creating the documentary “Haiti: Cry of the Beloved Country” (Al Jazeera).
Despite his worldwide fame, Belafonte remained humble and never forgot his roots. He was a philanthropist and was committed to giving back to the community. He established the Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library in Harlem and founded the Sing Your Song Foundation to promote social justice (CBC).
Belafonte’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on. He will be remembered as a boundary-pushing performer and a fearless activist who used his voice to make a difference in the world (Yahoo News).
