HARRY BELAFONTE | BORN IN 1927, THE BANANA BOAT SONG

Harry Belafonte is arguably the most successful pop star of American-Jamaican descent, credited with popularizing the Trinbagonian Caribbean musical genre. He started his singing career in 1949 and later dabbled in acting in 1953 while picking up activism along the way too. “Calypso,” his breakthrough album, became the first million-selling LP by one artist.

The recording of “The Banana Boat Song” thrust Belafonte into the limelight, with its trademark “Day-O” lyrics standing out. Folk, show tunes, blues, American standards, and gospel songs are among his musical genres. He has appeared in several films, including “Island in the Sun,” “Carmen Jones,” and “Odds Against Tomorrow.”

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