On November 8, 1977, Toronto welcomed a star, the incredibly talented and resilient Jully Black. This article delves into her remarkable accomplishments and successes. Read more on itoronto.
What Makes Jully Black Famous? Collaborations with Renowned Artists
Jully Black is a true Canadian icon. Named one of the “25 Greatest Canadian Singers of All Time” by CBC Music, fans and industry leaders hail her as “Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul.” A platinum-selling recording artist, her musical career has produced several top-10 hits across pop, R&B, and dance charts. Jully has received Juno and Gemini Awards, numerous industry accolades, and was chosen to perform for Queen Elizabeth II. She was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021 under the Pillars of Excellence in Arts & Entertainment. With her powerful voice, vibrant personality, and love for people, Jully Black stands apart. Her philanthropic efforts have taken her from the slums of Bangladesh to villages in South Africa and across Canada. A woman of faith, she advocates for justice and uses her platform to inspire and encourage acts of kindness.
As a songwriter, Jully has captivated hearts with her extensive music catalogue, including compositions for industry heavyweights like Destiny’s Child and Nas. She has collaborated with notable songwriters, musicians, and performers, including Ian Thornley of Big Wreck. On stage, she has shared the spotlight with superstars such as The Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Etta James, and Jessie Reyez. Jully also co-headlined Drake’s Road to OVO Fest Tour—All Canadian North Stars, alongside Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Keshia Chanté, K-OS, Maestro Fresh Wes, Saukrates, and Shawn Desman.
A Key Figure in Canadian Media and Entertainment
Jully holds a significant position in Canada’s media and entertainment industry. As a former host and correspondent for CTV’s etalk, she interviewed global icons such as Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Her music has been featured in film and television, and she has appeared on numerous national programs and performance platforms, including her viral moment on CBC’s Canada Reads in 2018. She has delivered a highly praised TED Talk, appeared in Global TV’s The First Time I Was Called A…, and was featured on CTV’s Canadian Idol. In 2022, Jully competed on The Amazing Race Canada and currently hosts the popular Monday Motivation segment on Canada’s #1 morning show on Global TV.
In 2018, Jully successfully launched and hosted The Blackout with Jully Black, a weekly radio show on iHeartRadio’s Newstalk 1010. Her acting repertoire includes roles in Canadian crime dramas like Coroner (2019) and Diggstown (2021). Jully has also contributed to documentaries by prominent directors and producers, solidifying her place as a standout figure in Canadian entertainment history.
Jully Black’s Priorities and Values
Maintaining personal wellness goals remains a cornerstone of Jully’s life. In 2018, she launched 100 Strong and Sexy (100SAS), Canada’s largest women’s fitness challenge. Founded in honour of her late mother, 100SAS is a holistic health and lifestyle program led by Black women. With over 600 participants of diverse backgrounds, the initiative focuses on restoring mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
In 2020, Jully introduced The Power Of Step (TPOS) during the global pandemic, a wildly successful virtual step aerobics and personal transformation coaching program with worldwide membership.
Driven by purposeful ideals and boundless spiritual energy, Jully continues to refine and rediscover her artistry. A phenomenon in Canadian entertainment, lifestyle, and public speaking, she co-founded and serves as a keynote speaker for the women’s empowerment summit Empowered In My Skin. Jully is an active LGBTQ+ advocate and a recipient of the prestigious BBPA Harry Jerome Award. She is a life coach, motivational speaker, spiritual mentor, and a phenomenal singer. On stage, she has starred in The Musical Stage Company’s Uncovered and played a lead role in the critically acclaimed Mirvish production Da Kink in My Hair at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre.
Musical Accomplishments
In February 2020, Jully stunned the musical theatre world with her critically acclaimed lead role as Caroline in the Obsidian Theatre and The Musical Stage Company’s production of Caroline, Or Change. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Tony Kushner, the production received rave reviews. Critics described her performance as “brilliant, dramatic, and emotionally stirring” (NOW Toronto), “a triumphant debut in musical theatre” (The Star), and “heavenly glorious” (OnStage Blog). Jully won Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award for Best Leading Role in a Musical and the esteemed Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance in Musical Theatre.
In 2022, Jully released three singles from her highly anticipated autobiographical album Three Rocks and a Slingshot. Collaborating with powerhouse songwriters and producers such as Gauntlette “VersaceP” Alexander Jr., Luther Brown Jr., and KickRaux, Jully continued to dominate Canada’s musical landscape. Singles like No Relation, Half Empty, and Time for Jesus quickly climbed charts, with Half Empty hitting #1 on iTunes R&B and the album reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #3 on the All Genres chart.
Jully Black’s career epitomizes collaboration, talent, and inspiration. Known as “Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul,” she continues to uplift others while breaking barriers in music, media, and wellness. Her enduring commitment to excellence and social justice ensures her legacy as one of Canada’s most influential artists.