Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples (b. July 30th, 1939) is an American Gospel and R&B singer, actress, and civil rights activist who first came to prominence as a vocalist in the R&B family band The Staples Singers. She is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Blues Hall of Fame inductee.

Role in Gorillaz
Staples, alongside rapper Pusha T, was featured on the Gorillaz track Let Me Out from their 2017 album Humanz.

Musical career
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mavis Staples began her music career singing in a family group called The Staples Singers in 1950. They originally played at local churches and performed on a weekly local radio show (although they were still very popular locally) before recording Uncloudy Day, which became their first hit and would spawn many massive hits after it. She began touring with The Staples Singers when she graduated from high school in the 1960s. The Staples Singers became symbols of the civil rights movement in the 1960s due to band leader Pops’ close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr, and began singing message driven songs like When Will We Be Paid? and Long Walk To D.C.. Within the first 5 years of the 70s, The Staples reached the Top 40 eight times. They are considered pivotal figures of 60s & 70s gospel and soul music.

Staples made her original solo debut in the late 60s via the single Crying in The Chapel, releasing her self-titled debut album in 1969. Her biggest solo album is perhaps Have A Little Faith, which she released in 2004. She has released 13 solo studio album since joining The Staples Singers and is currently signed to Epic Records. Staples is considered a legend in soul and gospel music, with The Staples Singers being one of the biggest soul groups and her voice being sampled in countless songs throughout the years. Staples is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Blues Hall of Fame inductee and has won several awards throughout her career.