Shemekia Copeland

2021 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Shemekia Copeland connects with her audience on an intensely personal level. Born and raised in Harlem, NY, Copeland is used to the spotlight. She first stepped on stage with her famous father at New York’s Cotton Club at age eight. From her 1998 debut Turn The Heat Up through 2005’s The Soul Truth, Copeland earned eight Blues Music Awards (BMA) and a host of Living Blues Awards, with 2000’s Wicked receiving the first of her Grammy nominations. 2018’s America’s Child won both the BMA and the Living Blues Award for Album Of The Year. In addition to earning a Grammy nomination (her fourth), 2020’s Uncivil War was named Blues Album Of The Year by DownBeat, MOJO and Living Blues. The album, like its predecessor, looked at the hardships and happiness people encounter, seeking common ground, demanding change and still finding ways to have a good time. Released in 2020, Done Come Too Far continues that story and is nominated for four BMAs, to be announced May 11. Copeland has performed across the globe, appeared in movies and television, and even shared a bill with The Rolling Stones. She entertained U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait in 2008, performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama, and performed at the United Nations General Assembly Hall to a worldwide audience as part of International Jazz Day celebrations just last year. Copeland also continues to host her popular daily radio show on SiriusXM’s Bluesville. More at shemekiacopeland.com.