J. Rosamond Johnson was an influential American composer, singer, and actor, born on August 11, 1873. He is best known for co-composing the music for the iconic song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the “Black National Anthem.” This song was written in 1900 with lyrics by his brother, James Weldon Johnson, and has since become a symbol of the African American struggle for equality and justice.
In addition to his contributions to music, J. Rosamond Johnson had a career as a performer. He worked on Broadway and was active in the Black theater scene. His compositions, along with his brother’s writings, played a significant role in shaping African American culture and artistic expression in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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