Billie Holiday’s life epitomized the struggles faced by Black artists in America, particularly through her music and personal battles. Born in Pennsylvania, she faced a traumatic childhood filled with abuse and poverty, which shaped her artistic expression. Her heartbreaking songs like "Strange Fruit," which confronted racism and lynching, revealed her experiences and sentiments towards systemic oppression. Holiday's struggles with addiction and her turbulent relationships also mirrored the broader challenges confronts by Black artists during an era rife with racial injustice and discrimination.