Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples is an iconic American rhythm and blues, soul, and gospel singer, celebrated for her powerful voice and lifelong commitment to social justice. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Staples began her musical journey as a member of her family's group, The Staple Singers, in the 1950s. The group gained widespread recognition with hits like "Respect Yourself," "I'll Take You There," and "Let's Do It Again," blending gospel, soul, and socially conscious lyrics to inspire and uplift listeners during the Civil Rights Movement.

Staples' solo career, launched in the late 1960s with a self-titled debut album, solidified her status as a versatile and enduring artist. Staples continued to release solo albums throughout the following decades and collaborated with renowned musicians such as Aretha Franklin, Prince, Bob Dylan, and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, who produced several of her critically acclaimed albums, including You Are Not Alone and If All I Was Was Black. Her music has been a unifying force, addressing themes of love, equality, and resilience.

Named one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, Staples has received numerous accolades including three Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a National Heritage Fellowship, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of The Staple Singers. In 2016, she was honored with the Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award; the following year, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a soloist. In 2019, she received the inaugural Rock Hall Honors Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a soloist.