About
Jully Black is a Canadian icon and global star, celebrated as Canada's Queen of R&B Soul. The daughter of an inspiring Jamaican immigrant mother, Jully has built a career spanning music, theatre, television, and advocacy, establishing herself as a powerhouse performer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, and wellness leader.
Awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Wilfrid Laurier University in 2026, Jully Black's influence extends far beyond the stage. That same year, she earned her most recent JUNO Award, further adding to a career that has made her one of Canada's most celebrated artists. A multiple JUNO Award-winning, platinum-selling recording artist, Canada's Walk of Fame inductee, and one of CBC Music's 25 Greatest Canadian Singers of All Time, Jully has delivered chart-topping hits across pop, R&B, hip-hop, and dance while captivating audiences with her commanding vocals and electrifying stage presence.
Jully's dynamic stage presence has led her to perform on some of the world's biggest stages alongside global stars including Elton John, Alicia Keys, Céline Dion, Black Eyed Peas, Jessie Reyez, Drake, and Joni Mitchell, to name a few. Her extensive music catalogue has generated millions of streams and downloads, and her songwriting for artists such as Destiny's Child and Nas, along with collaborations with Ian Thornley of Big Wreck and Serena Ryder, showcase her versatility and influence across genres.
On screen and stage, Jully has earned critical acclaim, appearing in Run the Burbs, Pretty Hard Cases, The Coroner, and Diggstown, earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Guest Performance in a Drama Series. In 2024, she won a Canadian Screen Award for Etalk: In Conversation With Jully Black, recognized as Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program.
Her award-winning theatre work includes Da Kink in My Hair and Caroline, or Change, for which she received both the Toronto Theatre Critics Award and the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role in Musical Theatre. These accomplishments further cement her reputation as one of Canada's most versatile and respected performers.
Jully is a passionate advocate for the Black community, Indigenous communities, immigrants, women, and other underrepresented groups, using her platform to drive meaningful change. Inspired by her mother's guidance and example, she founded the Jully Black Family Foundation in 2022, providing scholarships and bursaries to support women pursuing education while caring for their families.
Her commitment to advocacy and community impact has earned national recognition. In 2024, she received the Billboard Canada Women in Music Impact Award for amplifying Black and Indigenous voices. That same year, she narrated Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music, a groundbreaking documentary series exploring the fight for fair compensation for Black artists. The series went on to win the Canadian Screen Award for Best History Documentary Program.
In 2025, Jully headlined her sold-out Songs and Stories Tour across Canada and was recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the most powerful women in Canadian entertainment.
Building on that momentum, 2026 marked another milestone year. Responding to overwhelming demand from fans, she launched the Jully Black Live Experience, bringing world-class R&B performances to more intimate venues and underserved communities across the country. Her acclaimed album 3 Rocks and a Slingshot produced the hit singles "Half Empty," "No Relation," and "Time for Jesus," with "Half Empty" reaching #1 on the iTunes R&B chart and the album reaching #1 on the iTunes R&B chart and #3 overall. She is currently working on new music and a forthcoming memoir.
Whether on stage, on screen, in the community, or behind the microphone, Jully Black continues to inspire audiences through her artistry, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to service. Her influence on Canadian culture extends far beyond entertainment, making her not only one of Canada's most celebrated artists, but also one of its most impactful voices.
More music. More impact. More joy.
