(February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967)
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langst… Read Full Bio ↴(February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967)
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was a member of an abolitionist family. He was the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston, brother of John Mercer Langston, who was the first Black American to be elected to public office, in 1855. Hughes attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry in the eighth grade, and was selected as Class Poet. His father didn't think he would be able to make a living at writing, and encouraged him to pursue a more practical career. He paid his son's tuition to Columbia University on the grounds he study engineering. After a short time, Langston dropped out of the program with a B+ average; all the while he continued writing poetry. His first published poem was also one of his most famous, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", and it appeared in Brownie's Book. Later, his poems, short plays, essays and short stories appeared in the NAACP publication Crisis Magazine and in Opportunity Magazine and other publications.
One of Hughes' finest essays appeared in the Nation in 1926, entitled "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain". It spoke of Black writers and poets, "who would surrender racial pride in the name of a false integration," where a talented Black writer would prefer to be considered a poet, not a Black poet, which to Hughes meant he subconsciously wanted to write like a white poet. Hughes argued, "no great poet has ever been afraid of being himself." He wrote in this essay, "We younger Negro artists now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they aren't, it doesn't matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too... If colored people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, their displeasure doesn't matter either. We build our temples for tomorrow, as strong as we know how and we stand on the top of the mountain, free within ourselves."
In 1923, Hughes traveled abroad on a freighter to the Senegal, Nigeria, the Cameroons, Belgium Congo, Angola, and Guinea in Africa, and later to Italy and France, Russia and Spain. One of his favorite pastimes whether abroad or in Washington, D.C. or Harlem, New York was sitting in the clubs listening to blues, jazz and writing poetry. Through these experiences a new rhythm emerged in his writing, and a series of poems such as "The Weary Blues" were penned. He returned to Harlem, in 1924, the period known as the Harlem Renaissance. During this period, his work was frequently published and his writing flourished. In 1925 he moved to Washington, D.C., still spending more time in blues and jazz clubs. He said, "I tried to write poems like the songs they sang on Seventh Street...(these songs) had the pulse beat of the people who keep on going." At this same time, Hughes accepted a job with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, editor of the Journal of Negro Life and History and founder of Black History Week in 1926. He returned to his beloved Harlem later that year.
Langston Hughes received a scholarship to Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania, where he received his B.A. degree in 1929. In 1943, he was awarded an honorary Lit.D by his alma mater; a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1935 and a Rosenwald Fellowship in 1940. Based on a conversation with a man he knew in a Harlem bar, he created a character know as My Simple Minded Friend in a series of essays in the form of a dialogue. In 1950, he named this lovable character Jess B. Simple, and authored a series of books on him.
Langston Hughes was a prolific writer. In the forty-odd years between his first book in 1926 and his death in 1967, he devoted his life to writing and lecturing. He wrote sixteen books of poems, two novels, three collections of short stories, four volumes of "editorial" and "documentary" fiction, twenty plays, children's poetry, musicals and operas, three autobiographies, a dozen radio and television scripts and dozens of magazine articles. In addition, he edited seven anthologies. The long and distinguished list of Hughes' works includes: Not Without Laughter (1930); The Big Sea (1940); I Wonder As I Wander" (1956), his autobiographies. His collections of poetry include: The Weary Blues (1926); The Negro Mother and other Dramatic Recitations (1931); The Dream Keeper (1932); Shakespeare In Harlem (1942); Fields of Wonder (1947); One Way Ticket (1947); The First Book of Jazz (1955); Tambourines To Glory (1958); and Selected Poems (1959); The Best of Simple (1961). He edited several anthologies in an attempt to popularize black authors and their works. Some of these are: An African Treasury (1960); Poems from Black Africa (1963); New Negro Poets: USA (1964) and The Best Short Stories by Negro Writers (1967).
Published posthumously were: Five Plays By Langston Hughes (1968); The Panther and The Lash: Poems of Our Times (1969) and Good Morning Revolution: Uncollected Writings of Social Protest (1973); The Sweet Flypaper of Life with Roy DeCarava (1984).
Langston Hughes died of cancer on May 22, 1967. His residence at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem, New York has been given landmark status by the New York City Preservation Commission. His block of East 127th Street was renamed "Langston Hughes Place" .
By: Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)
Langston Hughes a biography by Milton Meltzer 1968
Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks: A Reference Guide by R. Baxter Miller 1979
Langston Hughes, American Poet by Alice Walker 1974
Langston Hughes in the Hispanic World and Haiti by Edward J. Mullen 1977
The World of Langston Hughes Music: A Bibliography of Musical Settings of Langston Hughes' Works with Recordings and Other Listings by Kenneth Neilson 1982
Langston Hughes: Before and Beyond Harlem by Faith Berry 1983
Langston Hughes and the Blues by Steven C. Tracy 1988
Langston Hughes: Black Genius, A Critical Evaluation edited by Therman B. O'Daniel 1977
The Life of Langston Hughes: Vol. I 1902-194, Too, Sing America and Vol. II 1941-1967 Dream A World by Arnold Rampersad 1986
From http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langst… Read Full Bio ↴(February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967)
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was a member of an abolitionist family. He was the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston, brother of John Mercer Langston, who was the first Black American to be elected to public office, in 1855. Hughes attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry in the eighth grade, and was selected as Class Poet. His father didn't think he would be able to make a living at writing, and encouraged him to pursue a more practical career. He paid his son's tuition to Columbia University on the grounds he study engineering. After a short time, Langston dropped out of the program with a B+ average; all the while he continued writing poetry. His first published poem was also one of his most famous, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", and it appeared in Brownie's Book. Later, his poems, short plays, essays and short stories appeared in the NAACP publication Crisis Magazine and in Opportunity Magazine and other publications.
One of Hughes' finest essays appeared in the Nation in 1926, entitled "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain". It spoke of Black writers and poets, "who would surrender racial pride in the name of a false integration," where a talented Black writer would prefer to be considered a poet, not a Black poet, which to Hughes meant he subconsciously wanted to write like a white poet. Hughes argued, "no great poet has ever been afraid of being himself." He wrote in this essay, "We younger Negro artists now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they aren't, it doesn't matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too... If colored people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, their displeasure doesn't matter either. We build our temples for tomorrow, as strong as we know how and we stand on the top of the mountain, free within ourselves."
In 1923, Hughes traveled abroad on a freighter to the Senegal, Nigeria, the Cameroons, Belgium Congo, Angola, and Guinea in Africa, and later to Italy and France, Russia and Spain. One of his favorite pastimes whether abroad or in Washington, D.C. or Harlem, New York was sitting in the clubs listening to blues, jazz and writing poetry. Through these experiences a new rhythm emerged in his writing, and a series of poems such as "The Weary Blues" were penned. He returned to Harlem, in 1924, the period known as the Harlem Renaissance. During this period, his work was frequently published and his writing flourished. In 1925 he moved to Washington, D.C., still spending more time in blues and jazz clubs. He said, "I tried to write poems like the songs they sang on Seventh Street...(these songs) had the pulse beat of the people who keep on going." At this same time, Hughes accepted a job with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, editor of the Journal of Negro Life and History and founder of Black History Week in 1926. He returned to his beloved Harlem later that year.
Langston Hughes received a scholarship to Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania, where he received his B.A. degree in 1929. In 1943, he was awarded an honorary Lit.D by his alma mater; a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1935 and a Rosenwald Fellowship in 1940. Based on a conversation with a man he knew in a Harlem bar, he created a character know as My Simple Minded Friend in a series of essays in the form of a dialogue. In 1950, he named this lovable character Jess B. Simple, and authored a series of books on him.
Langston Hughes was a prolific writer. In the forty-odd years between his first book in 1926 and his death in 1967, he devoted his life to writing and lecturing. He wrote sixteen books of poems, two novels, three collections of short stories, four volumes of "editorial" and "documentary" fiction, twenty plays, children's poetry, musicals and operas, three autobiographies, a dozen radio and television scripts and dozens of magazine articles. In addition, he edited seven anthologies. The long and distinguished list of Hughes' works includes: Not Without Laughter (1930); The Big Sea (1940); I Wonder As I Wander" (1956), his autobiographies. His collections of poetry include: The Weary Blues (1926); The Negro Mother and other Dramatic Recitations (1931); The Dream Keeper (1932); Shakespeare In Harlem (1942); Fields of Wonder (1947); One Way Ticket (1947); The First Book of Jazz (1955); Tambourines To Glory (1958); and Selected Poems (1959); The Best of Simple (1961). He edited several anthologies in an attempt to popularize black authors and their works. Some of these are: An African Treasury (1960); Poems from Black Africa (1963); New Negro Poets: USA (1964) and The Best Short Stories by Negro Writers (1967).
Published posthumously were: Five Plays By Langston Hughes (1968); The Panther and The Lash: Poems of Our Times (1969) and Good Morning Revolution: Uncollected Writings of Social Protest (1973); The Sweet Flypaper of Life with Roy DeCarava (1984).
Langston Hughes died of cancer on May 22, 1967. His residence at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem, New York has been given landmark status by the New York City Preservation Commission. His block of East 127th Street was renamed "Langston Hughes Place" .
By: Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)
Langston Hughes a biography by Milton Meltzer 1968
Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks: A Reference Guide by R. Baxter Miller 1979
Langston Hughes, American Poet by Alice Walker 1974
Langston Hughes in the Hispanic World and Haiti by Edward J. Mullen 1977
The World of Langston Hughes Music: A Bibliography of Musical Settings of Langston Hughes' Works with Recordings and Other Listings by Kenneth Neilson 1982
Langston Hughes: Before and Beyond Harlem by Faith Berry 1983
Langston Hughes and the Blues by Steven C. Tracy 1988
Langston Hughes: Black Genius, A Critical Evaluation edited by Therman B. O'Daniel 1977
The Life of Langston Hughes: Vol. I 1902-194, Too, Sing America and Vol. II 1941-1967 Dream A World by Arnold Rampersad 1986
From http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html
The Struggle
Langston Hughes Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'The Struggle' by these artists:
30 Seconds to Mars A military force is established by deception of sense that…
A.G.A.S I really struggle but I never complain I remember having non…
A.L.T I had to struggle and hustle but nothing was ever…
Aaron-Carl [Chorus] Now this is the tale of a murderer who comes…
AG Struggle love struggle struggle love that's that Struggle lo…
Alli and I Why does pride always get in the way? So challenging to…
Ballyhoo! another empty scene is up on my TV screen sometimes…
Beyond the Bridge Old Man: Do you really want me to lose… …my Virtues …my F…
Black Market Militia [Intro: Killah Priest] Cheeba cheeba y'all (uh) Cheeba cheeb…
Black Train Jack I can see the degree to how strange he feels Talking…
Blacklite District I remember that day that I got the call, remember that…
Bounty Killer Feat. Wayne Marshall & Farenheit We know you're alive at night We know you're sad I'm…
Bunji Garlin Yuh think this come with a free pass? A nice little…
C-Bass Depression’s here I’m feeling low In my house all alone I si…
Carawae Tonight we'll say goodbye, Let these tears fall down your e…
Cephalic Carnage I've had dreams of unity, within our society, there could…
d d d Now there's an I in we 2020 came and then we…
D.O.D. "No matter where you at, when you hear a motherfucker…
Dr. Mutulu Shakur Well, misunderstood from the jump, off the beat Life's symph…
E-Dub The Gangsta "No matter where you at, when you hear a motherfucker…
E.G Got so many body issues prolly need ten tissues Bullets come…
Endarken Twisting in torment, I'm feeling the pain Effortless figh…
eudora Goodnight sweetheart Pull the blankets up and Have no fear…
Finn Liam They came alive when I sold my soul I've been waiting…
Galactic Cowboys Cover my eyes, too bright for night Path that I run,…
Grizfolk Brothers got room to talk Messin' round on the block Corner …
I.O.D. "No matter where you at, when you hear a motherfucker…
Isolation A.D Now there's an I in we 2020 came and then we…
JayteKz RAP ROCK LIT POP COUNTRY R&B NEWS HISTORY SPORTS SCREEN…
K.G.R. I don't wanna live no more Sometimes I hear death knocking…
Kay-C Depression’s here I’m feeling low In my house all alone I si…
KRS-One & True Master [Chorus] It's all a struggle (tryin to make it day to…
Liam Finn They came alive when I sold my soul I've been waiting…
Lo-Key So you're deep like the ocean And got your bottles of…
Lucky Boys Confusion If I could slow you down, down for an hour…
M-Eye-C Depression’s here I’m feeling low In my house all alone I si…
Maceo This for my hustlers getting this cheddar makin money aint s…
Malcolm-Jay. Mama say that I'm the devil Don't won't no love I'm caught…
Matt Zephyr Growing up this dream was all I had I was gonna…
Minnot/Thomas [Chorus] Now this is the tale of a murderer who comes…
Minutemen My father and his family Struggled through history Maintaini…
Mirah And I hope you find The magic on the floor That I…
Mr. Morbid & Melph Yeah Anyone wey they struggle in life We will surely make it…
MU330 I want to tell her that yes I believe and…
MxPx The struggle is in our hearts, it's in our hands So…
N-GIN 보자기에 감싸둔 신줏단지처럼 난 여전히 소중히 간직하고 있어 꿈을 여럿 사람들이 날 저평가 혹…
Nature The genius wit a self centered headlock Wanna see people for…
No Fuego Given another shot. I swear this time we'll make it.…
Open Hand You want it, You want it, You need it, You need it, You nee…
Poor Mans Poison Are we the good people? Yeah, we′re... we're always gonna be…
Pretty Ugly It started when the hotshots went past my spot Police used…
Rabbit Junk I watch tragedies No dignity So powerless I must confess …
Resurrection Band Sometimes you scare me by what you cause me to…
Scars of Tomorrow I will live this day. With my head up high.…
Scroobius Pip I spend my life on the move, my life on…
SFA For years the struggle has been raging on Workers of the…
Stages and Stereos ""If every memory fades away Can we make this one…
straight to your face I've seen a lot of shit in my life, everyday…
T.f You can’t tell me i can’t do certain things Ion like…
Tenth Avenue North There's a wreckage, there's a fire There's a weakness in my…
Terror So sick and tired for so **** long All I hear…
The 3rd Element Hey hey Hey hey My people always hustlin to get the green…
The Call of the Void (Trapped between these four walls) My flaws exposed, with n…
The Dead Texan Every time we are slow Where are we going so fast? We…
The Galactic Cowboys Cover my eyes, too bright for night Path that I run,…
The Originals - 1.06 - Grizfolk Brothers got room to talk Messin' round on the block Corner …
The Struggle I go to work everyday And I bust my back for…
This Day & Age do i have the right to be upset with you? there…
Tripnotic sedated consciousness, berated labeled pompous/ Really just …
V-ZILLA feat. Romanze & Blacastan I just talked to James he up in heaven with…
W.C.R.S. Depression’s here I’m feeling low In my house all alone I si…
Watch Them Die Desert the damage for it is done A kinder world for…
Waxpanel I feel wicked and depressed I choose to wallow in this,…
Windir Føste gaongen di kom va ra med kvite krist å…
Wyclef Jean a.k.a. Toussaint St. Jean You can’t tell me i can’t do certain things Ion like…
X-trct I was hungry I had to get out the struggle But…
XO Stereo If every memory fades away Can we make this one last? I…
Zach Williams Well he woke up this morning to An angel in his…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Langston Hughes:
I Have Known Rivers mi ai salvato la vita ...,. ... ... suona il corno dei suona…
I Too I, too, simg America. i am the darker brother they send me…
Mother to Son Well son, I'll tell: Life for me aint been no…
The Negro Speaks of Rivers I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than…
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