Linear Timeline
Transcript: References AllMusic. (n.d.). Playboi Carti: Artist biography (by Andy Kellman). https://www.allmusic.com/artist/playboi-carti-mn0003502064/biography Billboard. (n.d.). Playboi Carti: Chart history and artist profile. https://www.billboard.com/artist/playboi-carti/ AllMusic. (n.d.). Ashanti: Artist biography. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ashanti-mn0000604182/biography AllMusic. (n.d.). Mary J. Blige: Artist biography. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mary-j-blige-mn0000339027/biography AllMusic. (n.d.). Aretha Franklin: Artist biography. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/aretha-franklin-mn0000927555/biography AllMusic. (n.d.). Clara Ward: Artist biography. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/clara-ward-mn0000137762/biography Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (n.d.). Aretha Franklin: Inductee biography. https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/aretha-franklin Gertrude Ward Gertrude Ward was not only Clara’s mother but also the founder and manager of The Ward Singers. A key figure in gospel music, Gertrude helped shape Clara’s early musical development and career, guiding the group’s rise to national fame. Her strong leadership, business acumen, and dedication to gospel music played a foundational role in Clara’s success and artistic direction. Playboi Carti Linear Timeline Playboi Carti, born Jordan Terrell Carter on September 13, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his experimental sound, baby voice delivery, and punk-inspired aesthetic. He first gained attention with early SoundCloud releases and signed with A$AP Rocky’s AWGE label under Interscope Records in 2017. His self-titled debut mixtape, Playboi Carti (2017), featured hits like “Magnolia” and propelled him into the mainstream. His 2018 debut studio album, Die Lit, was praised for its minimalist production and cult appeal. After a lengthy delay, Carti released Whole Lotta Red in 2020, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and solidified his influence on the rage and hyperpop subgenres. Known for his enigmatic persona, avant-garde fashion, and loyal fanbase, Playboi Carti remains a boundary-pushing figure in modern hip-hop & as he continues to push these boundaries, he does so within his music as well with the recent sampling of Ashanti's "Only U" that is originally a R/B beat, flipped into one of trap musics most iconic sample flips. By: Jayden Perez Clara Ward Clara Ward, born on April 21, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a pioneering American gospel singer, arranger, and leader of the renowned gospel group The Famous Ward Singers. She began singing at a young age and rose to prominence in the 1940s and 1950s, transforming gospel music with her powerful voice, charismatic stage presence, and innovative arrangements. Under her leadership, The Ward Singers became one of the most popular and influential gospel groups of their time, known for dynamic performances and elaborate stage shows. Ward helped bring gospel music to broader audiences and paved the way for many female artists, including Aretha Franklin, who cited her as a major influence. While Clara Ward admired many gospel greats of her time, her mother’s influence both personally and professionally—was the most significant and enduring throughout her life and career. That said, one song that likely had a major impact was "Surely God Is Able" (1950), one of Clara Ward and the Ward Singers’ most popular and groundbreaking recordings. The song showcased the emotional intensity and vocal power that would influence Aretha’s own gospel-rooted style. Ashanti Aretha Franklin Mary J. Bilge Ashanti, born Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas on October 13, 1980, in Glen Cove, New York, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame in the early 2000s after signing with Murder Inc. Records, gaining major attention for her feature on Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?” and Ja Rule’s “Always On Time.” Her self-titled debut album Ashanti (2002) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The album's lead single, “Foolish,” became one of the biggest hits of the year. Known for her smooth vocals and catchy hooks, Ashanti helped define the R&B and hip-hop crossover sound of the 2000s. Ashanti has often cited Mary J. Blige as a key inspiration, especially for blending soulful R&B vocals with hip-hop elements—a style that became central to Ashanti's own sound. Blige’s emotional delivery, storytelling, and strong presence as a female artist in a male-dominated industry paved the way for artists like Ashanti to find their voice and audience in the early 2000s Mary J. Blige, born on January 11, 1971, in The Bronx, New York, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress widely known as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul." She began her music career in the early 1990s and rose to fame with her 1992 debut album What's the 411?, which blended soulful vocals with hip-hop beats—a groundbreaking sound at the time. Blige's deeply personal