Lady B

Wendy Clark (born c. 1962), better known by her stage name Lady B, is an American female rapper and radio DJ from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is one of the earliest female rappers in hip hop, and one of the first hip hop artists to record a single, "To the Beat, Y'all", in 1979.[1][2][3] She began her career with radio station WHAT in 1979, and recorded her first single later that year, "To the Beat Y'all".[1] The song, the title of which became a stock rap phrase,[1] was first released by TEC, a local Philadelphia-based record label, and released again in 1980 by Sylvia Robinson's rap label,[4] Sugar Hill Records.[5]

Lady B
Birth nameWendy Clark
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Radio DJ

Career

Clark recorded her first single, "To the Beat, Y'all," on the Sugar Hill record label in 1979.[6]

Clark's rise and longevity (3 decades) in hip-hop earned her the title as Godmother of hip-hop. She is one of the first DJs to play rap records on the radio outside New York,[7] playing artists such as Will Smith and Soulsonic Force at the start of their careers.[1][8] She had encountered the New York City rap scene while traveling with World B.Free, ex-player of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.[9]

In 1979, Mary Mason on WRNB 100.3 gave Lady B her own weekend show, which transformed into a success and brought hip hop to the radio in Philly.[6] and was a large success.

In 1984, Lady B moved to Philadelphia's Power 99 FM and started the program The Street Beat, which blew the radio station's ratings through the roof.[6] She ran this program until 1989.[10] She later broadcast for Sirius Satellite Radio in New York City.[10] She also worked for WRNB 100.3 in Philadelphia until she was dismissed in December 2017.[8][11]

Awards and recognitions

Lady B has received numerous awards throughout her career. In 2002, she received the "Philly Urban Legend Award",[1] which acknowledges pioneers in rap music. The World Renowned Entertainment,” Role Model of Excellence Award, two Lifetime Achievement Awards (including the Douglass”Jocko” Henderson award) and is also listed in VIBE magazine's History of Hip-Hop as “maybe the most influential female in hip- hop radio history”.[4]

On August 13, 2022 the city of Philadelphia renamed the 5700 block of Wyndale Avenue “Lady B Way” in recognition to her accomplishments.

References
  1. Bradley, Adam; DuBois, Andrew, eds. (2010). The Anthology of Rap. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University. ISBN 9780300141900.
  2. Clark, Lamont (2013). MCs: A Children's Guide to the Origins of Hip Hop. 70 West Press. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  3. "To The Beat Y'all". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  4. Phillips, Layli; Reddick-Morgan, Kerri; Stephens, Dionne Patricia (July 2005). "Oppositional Consciousness within an Oppositional Realm: The Case of Feminism and Womanism in Rap and Hip Hop, 1976-2004". The Journal of African American History. 90 (3): 253–277. doi:10.1086/jaahv90n3p253. ISSN 1548-1867. S2CID 140943451.
  5. Radner, Joan Newlon (1993). Feminist Messages. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252019579. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  6. Coard, Michael. "Coard: Treat Lady B like the Philly radio icon she is". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  7. Wellington, Elizabeth (2011-08-21). "WRNB's Lady B celebrates 30 years as hip-hop jump-starter". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  8. Newhouse, Sam (December 20, 2017). "Lady B's defenders want her returned to the airwaves". Metro Media. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  9. Phillips, Layli; Reddick-Morgan, Kerri; Stephens, Dionne Patricia (July 2005). "Oppositional Consciousness within an Oppositional Realm: The Case of Feminism and Womanism in Rap and Hip Hop, 1976-2004". The Journal of African American History. 90 (3): 253–277. doi:10.1086/jaahv90n3p253. ISSN 1548-1867. S2CID 140943451.
  10. Hess, Mickey, ed. (2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. Vol. 1. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood. p. 153. ISBN 9780313343216.
  11. Mitchell, John N. (December 22, 2017). "Listeners protest ouster of Lady B from WRNB". The Philadelphia Tribune.

12. https://www.instagram.com/tv/ChNMEFcJJk-/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

See also
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