Celebrate the Music of the late Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte in a scene from the 1959 film Odds Against Tomorrow.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Harry Belafonte helped popularize traditional Caribbean and African American folk music to a mainstream audience, and his distinctive blend of calypso, jazz, and folk inspired countless musicians and influenced the development of popular music in the mid-20th century. He was also a passionate advocate for social justice, using his platform to promote civil rights and humanitarian causes and paved the way for future generations of activists and artists to use their voices for positive change. We’ve curated some of Harry Belafonte’s best performances into several players below.