Ma Rainey's Music

The Chicago Defender, one of the major African-American newspapers in the U.S., runs a full-page ad for Ma Rainey’s recording of “Prove It On Me Blues,” a song that openly proclaims the love of women for other women. The ad portrays Ma Rainey dressed in a “butch” style and flirting with two very femme women on the street.

1928-09-22