Grammy winning soul and R&B icon Betty Wright passes in Miami on May 10th 2020 at age 66 due to cancer.

Betty Wright has been extremely successful. Not only having hit songs such as, “Clean up Woman” and “ Tonight is the Night”, but also topping the charts since the 70s, winning a Grammy at 23 and a Pioneer Award.  Wright was the first Black woman to get a gold album on her record label (a label she created because of the gender wage gap in the music industry). She released her first album at age 14, then proceeded to have her first hit pop song at age 17. Being a singer was a huge part of Wright’s career but it wasn’t the only thing she worked on, she worked as a mentor and vocal coach for various younger artists and did background vocals, on albums for other famous artists.

Popular artists such as Beyonce, Chance the Rapper and Yg have sampled her music working her artistry into their projects. Wright has also been featured on songs with rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Dj Khaled staying relevant  and appealing to younger listeners until her passing. Hopefully artists continue to be inspired by Wright and passing on her brilliance.

Betty Wright has made a remarkable stamp on our culture, having her music passed down generations and continuing to inspire newer artists. Her craft will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Betty Wright, you will be missed.