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 altered a word in Canada's national anthem during a live performance in 2023, singing 'our home on Native land' instead of 'our home and native land.' The act sparked nationwide conversation about Indigenous rights and colonial history. Born in 1977 and raised in Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, she developed a formidable voice blending soul, gospel, and raw power. Her albums, including 'Revival,' showcased her as a premier performer in Canada's R&B renaissance of the late 1990s and 2000s. She also wrote songs for international stars, extending her influence behind the scenes. Black evolved into a wellness advocate, speaking publicly on empowerment and mental health. Her anthem alteration was a simple, profound gesture from 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.”
