Jully Black
A powerhouse Canadian vocalist dubbed the 'Queen of R&B Soul,' whose voice and songwriting have fueled anthems for two decades.
Born 1977 (age 49)·Canadian singer·Birthday: November 8·Generation X
Biography
Jully Black didn't just arrive on the Canadian music scene; she claimed it. From Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, her voice—a formidable instrument of soul, gospel, and raw power—became a backbone of the country's R&B renaissance in the late 1990s and 2000s. While her own albums like 'Revival' cemented her status as a premier performer, her influence extended behind the scenes as a sought-after songwriter for international stars. More than a musician, she evolved into a cultural force and wellness advocate, using her platform to speak on empowerment and mental health. Her national moment came in 2023 when she altered a word in Canada's national anthem during a live performance, singing 'our home on Native land'—a simple, profound act that sparked nationwide conversation and cemented her role as an artist deeply engaged with her country's identity.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Jully was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jully Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Jully's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for her single "Seven Day Fool."
- Wrote the song "Butterfly" for Destiny's Child's multi-platinum album 'Survivor'.
- Was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to music and philanthropy.
- Performed the national anthem at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.
Did You Know?
She famously changed a lyric in 'O Canada' from "our home and native land" to "our home on Native land" during a 2023 performance, receiving widespread praise.
She is a certified fitness instructor and incorporates wellness coaching into her public work.
She voiced the character of Lola in the Canadian children's animated series 'The Save-Ums!'
She was the first Black woman to host the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs).
“I'm not just an entertainer, I'm a servant of the people, using my gift to heal.”
