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Logo of Black Swan Records
Logo of Black Swan Records
BLACK SWAN RECORDS
In 1920, the only black voices recorded by major record companies were Bert Williams on Columbia Records and Mamie Smith on OKeh Records. That all changed in 1921 when Harry Pace (inspired to control his destiny by Marcus Garvey's ideals) founded his own record firm Black Swan Records. He did not like how record companies bought his sheet music and lyrics but then gave them to white singers. Pace was also not pleased with the way these companies restricted black performers from singing and playing in their own style. The company hit gold after signing Ethel Waters, who became a renowned blues singer, and milked her lucrative talents. Once other record companies saw the success and popularity that black performers were receiving, they began signing increasing numbers of African American singers. This led to high competition between record labels in 1922 and 1923, which caused Black Swan many clients and, eventually, its demise in 1923.