The Invisible History of Plus-Sized Black Women In Music
Before women like Lizzo and Brittany Howard were getting their shine, Martha Wash and others before them struggled to be properly credited
While Martha Wash may not be a household name, the San Francisco native’s dynamic pipes are instantly recognizable to musicophiles. During her ’80s and ’90s heydays, Wash was bestowed with the moniker “The Queen Of Clubland,” thanks to a staggering accumulation of 12 #1 singles on the Billboard Dance Charts, and one #1 on the Hot 100. Originally a member of funk superstar Sylvester’s background duo, the cheekily named Two Tons O’ Fun, Wash — along with the late Izora Armstead — rose to fame during their transition into The Weather Girls, who garnered a Grammy nomination in 1983 for their soulful, post-disco cult hit “It’s Raining Men.”
Although she had a strict, gospel-heavy childhood, her teenage rebelliousness found her “sneaking 45s” of rock, R&B, and big band artists into her backpack. “I learned to appreciate different genres of music, you know, and that kept me going,” Wash, now 66, tells ZORA of exposing herself to various styles, which likely contributed to her versatility. She’s provided background vocals from rock singer-songwriter Bob Seger (“Like a Rock”) to the Queen of Soul herself…
