Roberta Flack, the iconic singer and pianist whose soulful voice and gifted piano playing defined an era, crafted a legacy steeped in musical brilliance, cultural significance, and authenticity. Flack's artistry reflected her classical training, commitment to Black identity, and ability to transcend genres, leaving a lasting impact on music. As we reflect on her passing today, her influence continues to resonate through her timeless songs, advocacy for social justice, and dedication to nurturing future generations of artists.
Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Flack's prodigious talent was evident from an early age. By 15, she had earned a music scholarship to Howard University, where she would later graduate with a degree in Music Education. Flack's musical prowess flourished at Howard, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, an organization known for its commitment to public service and sisterhood. Her time at Howard was formative for her craft and identity as a Black woman navigating a world that often sought to limit her voice. At Howard, she met Donny Hathaway, a fellow musician whose partnership with Flack would become one of the most celebrated in music history.
Flack's classical training on the piano set her apart from her contemporaries. She was a virtuoso, blending the technical precision of Western classical music with the emotional depth of soul, jazz, and folk. Her performances were both intimate and powerful. Seated at the piano, she sang with a quiet intensity that captivated audiences. "I want everybody to see me as I am," she told The National Observer in 1970, describing her approach to performance as a form of vulnerability and honesty. This authenticity resonated deeply, allowing her to connect with listeners profoundly.
Her partnership with Donny Hathaway, whom she met at Howard, was a meeting of kindred spirits. Together, they created music that was both tender and revolutionary. Their 1972 album, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, featured the Grammy-winning hit "Where Is the Love," a song that showcased their seamless vocal harmonies and shared commitment to musical excellence. Their collaboration extended beyond the studio, as they often used their platform to address Black solidarity and love themes. Songs like "Be Real Black for Me" became anthems of Black pride and mutual admiration, reflecting Flack's unwavering dedication to her identity and community.
Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack Live
While her collaborations with Hathaway were groundbreaking, Flack's solo career would soon reach even greater heights. Her rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," featured in the 1971 Clint Eastwood film Play Misty for Me, catapulted her to international stardom. The song spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, earning her the first of four Grammy Awards. She followed this success with "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love," which became defining hits of the 1970s. Her ability to infuse slow, melodic ballads with emotional depth and social commentary set her apart in an industry often dominated by louder, more bombastic voices.
As a Black woman in a predominantly white and male industry, Roberta Flack navigated her career with grace and determination. She refused to be confined by genre or expectation, seamlessly blending soul, jazz, folk, and classical music elements. Her music reflected her multifaceted identity, anchored in her upbringing in the Black church and her classical training. Scholar Jason King noted that Roberta Flack "complexly brought Black nationalism into discourse with European classical aesthetics," a testament to her ability to bridge worlds through her art.
Robert Flack | "Killing Me Softly" | Official Video
Flack's legacy extends beyond her music. She was a trailblazer for social justice, using her platform to advocate for civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and education. Her performance of "Ballad of the Sad Young Men," a poignant song about the struggles of gay men, and her theme song for the 1982 film Making Love, which explored same-sex relationships, demonstrated her courage in addressing LGBTQ+ issues during a time when writers in mainstream music rarely discussed such topics. "Love is universal, like music," she said in an interview with Hotspots Magazine. "Between a man and a woman, between two men, between two women. Love is a song." These choices reflected her belief in inclusivity and her commitment to using her art as a force for change.
In her later years, Flack continued to inspire through her philanthropic efforts. She founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, providing free music education to underresourced students. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians reflected her belief in the transformative power of music. Through this initiative, she ensured that her legacy would live on in her recordings and the lives of those she mentored.
Roberta Flack's life was a symphony of artistry, identity, and activism. As a virtuoso pianist, a soulful singer, and a proud Black woman, she redefined what it meant to be an artist. Her music, anchored in her lived experiences and her commitment to social justice, continues to resonate, reminding us of the power of authenticity and the enduring beauty of a life well-lived. In her own words, as shared in her biography for Howard University's The Dig, "My hope is that out of all the anger and seeming hostility that we hear in some of today's music will come some sort of coalition that will become politically involved."
Roberta Flack's legacy lives on.
Derrick Hemphill covers art and culture and resides in Harlem, New York.
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