Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a play by August Wilson, first performed in 1984 as part of his ten-play cycle called The Pittsburgh Cycle (later known as The Century Cycle). The play is set in 1927, in a recording studio in Chicago, and centers on the tensions between Ma Rainey, a legendary Black blues singer, and the white producers who seek to exploit her musical talent.

The title refers to “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” one of the songs she performs in the play, and “black bottom” refers to a popular dance of the time. The play touches on the struggles Black artists face, particularly the exploitation of Black talent by the music industry, and it explores themes of race, power, and artistic control.

Ma Rainey, the protagonist, is based on the real-life blues singer known as “The Mother of the Blues.” In the play, Ma is a strong-willed, unapologetic woman who demands control over her music and insists on being treated with respect, which was rare for Black women, especially in the music industry at the time. The play also focuses on her band members—Levee, Cutler, Toledo, and Slow Drag—each representing different aspects of Black life and struggles for identity, artistic expression, and survival in a racist society.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom reflects the socio-political environment of the time (1920s America), particularly highlighting the exploitative nature of the music industry towards Black musicians. The play’s exploration of race, class, and identity indicts the systemic oppression that continues to affect African Americans, even as they find ways to resist and assert their dignity.

In 2020, the play was adapted into a film directed by George C. Wolfe, starring Viola Davis as Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman as Levee, in his final performance. The film closely follows the play, capturing its emotional depth and powerful performances, particularly in the character of Levee, whose tragic story serves as a reflection of the destructive forces of racism and personal ambition.

Story

Set in Chicago during the 1920s, the play follows a group of black musicians as they gather to record an album with the legendary blues singer, Ma Rainey. However, tensions soon arise between the musicians, Ma Rainey, and the white producers who hold the purse strings. Through vivid characters, dialogue, and setting, Wilson skillfully depicts the fraught and complicated relationships between black artists and their white managers in the entertainment industry. He also highlights the struggles of black musicians to assert their creative and personal autonomy in a deeply racist and exploitative society.

Primary Characters

• Ma Rainey - A famous blues singer, known as the “Mother of the Blues.” She is a diva who demands respect and insists on having things done her way.
• Levee - A talented and ambitious young trumpet player who plans to make it big on his own. He clashes with the other musicians and with Ma Rainey, as he tries to assert his own desires.
• Cutler - The leader of the band and a skilled trombone player. He is the most level-headed and practical of the musicians, and tries to keep everyone on track.
• Toledo - A pianist and philosopher, who is always deep in thought and spouting wisdom. He serves as a kind of mentor to the other musicians.
• Slow Drag - A bass player, who is quiet and unassuming. He is a loyal friend to Cutler, and tries to keep the peace among the musicians.
• Irvin - A white record producer, who is in charge of the recording session. He is eager to please Ma Rainey, but also has to deal with the demands of his boss, Sturdyvant.
• Sturdyvant - A white businessman, who owns the recording studio. He is only interested in making money, and doesn’t care about the art or the musicians.

Major Themes

Overall, these themes function together to create a complex and nuanced portrayal of the lives and struggles of black musicians in early 20th century America. They reveal the social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped their lives, and the ongoing legacy of their creativity and artistry. The play centers on the exploitation of Black musicians by white producers, a theme that still echoes in various industries today, particularly in music and entertainment. Despite the progress made in racial equality, Black artists often continue to face unequal pay, lack of control over their work, and the commodification of their talent. This continues to be a conversation in the modern-day music and entertainment industries, as well as in broader economic contexts.

Gender and Power Dynamics

Throughout the play, there are constant struggles for power between different characters. For example, Ma Rainey demands respect from the white producers and insists on having things done her way. Meanwhile, Levee tries to assert his own power and control over the other musicians. These power dynamics reveal the complicated and fraught relationships between black artists and their white managers in the entertainment industry.

Ma Rainey’s character exemplifies of a Black woman asserting control in a male-dominated world, particularly in a time when Black women were doubly oppressed—by both race and gender. Her role as a strong, unapologetic woman in a male-dominated industry speaks to contemporary discussions about gender inequality and the role of women in leadership across all sectors, especially in industries like entertainment and politics.

Race and Racism

The play explores the pervasive racism of the early 20th century, particularly in the music industry. The white producers and studio owners treat the black musicians with disrespect and condescension, and the musicians themselves have internalized this racism to some extent. For example, Levee expresses resentment towards the older generation of black musicians who he feels have been too passive in the face of discrimination.

The play underscores the long-standing legacy of historical injustice, particularly in the context of race relations in the United States. It calls attention to how the structures of racism have evolved over time and continue to persist in new forms. For example, debates over voting rights, police brutality, and the criminal justice system show how entrenched these issues remain in modern society.

Systemic racism affects the characters both externally (in their professional and social lives) and internally (in their sense of self-worth). Levee’s tragic story highlights the psychological toll of racism, including trauma, betrayal, and a constant struggle to assert one’s identity in a society that marginalizes you. This theme is important today, as discussions around mental health in the Black community and the long-term effects of racial trauma continue to grow.

Creativity and Artistic Expression

The play also deals with the struggle for creative and personal autonomy. Ma Rainey insists on singing the blues her own way, even if it means offending the white producers. Meanwhile, Levee wants to assert his own musical vision and create something new and original. These struggles for creative freedom reveal the importance of music as a means of self-expression and cultural identity.

Ma Rainey’s insistence on controlling her music and asserting her rights challenges the exploitation of Black culture for commercial gain. This theme is especially relevant in the current age, where cultural appropriation is a hot topic, particularly regarding the way Black music, fashion, and art are often commodified without recognition of their origins or the struggles of their creators.

Legacy v. Agency

Another theme in the play is the tension between preserving tradition and embracing new ideas. Ma Rainey represents the older generation of blues musicians, who have a deep connection to tradition and the roots of the music. Levee, on the other hand, is eager to push the music in a new direction and create something fresh. These tensions between tradition and innovation reveal the ongoing evolution of black music and culture.

Much of the play revolves around the characters’ desire for self-determination and recognition. Levee’s ambition to create his own music and escape the shadow of exploitation mirrors the ongoing fight for cultural and economic independence within marginalized communities. This theme is still relevant as individuals and communities continue to push for autonomy in a world that often denies them full control over their lives.

Reading/Viewing Questions

Consider these questions as you read and watch the play.

1. What role does music play in the lives of the characters in the play? How do their attitudes towards music differ from each other?
2. How does August Wilson explore the power dynamics between the black musicians and their white managers in the music industry? What strategies do the musicians use to assert their autonomy and resist exploitation?
3. What is the significance of the historical setting of the play (1920s Chicago) for understanding the themes and characters?
4. What is the importance of tradition and legacy in the play? How do the characters grapple with preserving tradition versus pushing for innovation?
5. How does August Wilson use language and dialogue to convey the personalities and worldviews of the characters in the play? What stylistic techniques does he employ to create a vivid and realistic portrayal of the music industry and black life in the 1920s?
6. What is the role of race and racism in the play? How do the characters navigate the racist attitudes and assumptions of the white producers and studio owners?
7. What is the significance of Ma Rainey as a character? How does her personality and reputation shape the dynamics of the recording session?
8. How does the play explore the themes of creativity, self-expression, and cultural identity? What insights does it offer about the role of music in shaping and reflecting black culture?
9. What is the meaning of the play’s title, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom? How does it relate to the themes and events of the play?
10. What is the significance of the play’s ending? How does it reflect on the struggles and achievements of the characters throughout the play?

Writing Prompts

1. Analyze the power dynamics between the black musicians and their white managers in the play. How do the musicians resist exploitation and assert their autonomy?
2. Compare and contrast the attitudes towards music of Ma Rainey and Levee. How do their differing perspectives on the blues reveal their personalities and worldviews? (How might Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” relate?)
3. Discuss the significance of the historical setting of the play (1920s Chicago) for understanding the themes and characters. How does August Wilson use the setting to convey the social and cultural context of the time?
4. Evaluate the role of race and racism in the play. How do the characters navigate the racist attitudes and assumptions of the white producers and studio owners?
5. Analyze the themes of creativity, self-expression, and cultural identity in the play. How do the characters use music to express their identity and assert their individuality?
6. Discuss the significance of Ma Rainey as a character. How does her personality and reputation shape the dynamics of the recording session?
7. Compare and contrast the attitudes towards tradition and innovation of Ma Rainey and Levee. How do these attitudes reflect the broader tension between preserving tradition and embracing new ideas?
8. Analyze the play’s use of language and dialogue to convey the personalities and worldviews of the characters. How does August Wilson use stylistic techniques to create a vivid and realistic portrayal of the music industry and black life in the 1920s?
9. Discuss the meaning of the play’s title, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. How does it relate to the themes and events of the play?
10. Evaluate the significance of the play’s ending. How does it reflect on the struggles and achievements of the characters throughout the play?