Harry Belafonte Tribute

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Biography

Harry Belafonte (1927-2023) was a legendary American singer, actor, and civil rights activist. Known as the "King of Calypso," he popularized Caribbean music styles in the 1950s and became the first artist to sell over a million copies of an album with "Calypso" (1956).

Beyond his musical achievements, Belafonte was a pioneering figure in civil rights activism, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and using his platform to fight for social justice throughout his life.

Famous Songs

• "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" - His signature song that topped charts worldwide. Gained renewed popularity when featured in a famous dinner scene in Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" (1988), where dinner party guests are possessed to dance to the song
• "Jamaica Farewell" - A beloved classic about leaving Jamaica
• "Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" - An energetic calypso hit that became widely known to new audiences when it was featured in the final scene of "Beetlejuice" (1988), where Winona Ryder's character levitates and dances in the air
• "Matilda" - A popular traditional calypso song
• "Turn the World Around" - Featured on The Muppet Show