Famous Durham Residents: Past and Present

Durham has so many aspects contributing to its cool factor, from its restaurant scene to the nearby outdoor attractions, its no wonder the Bull City both attracts and creates talented people. Famous folks of all types live in or hail from Durham, from hip-hop artists to journalists. As a place that nurtures the arts and encourages creativity, Durham offers talent a chance to truly thrive. The broader influence of the artists and culture makers that call Durham home is one of the many impactful ways we see the Bull City making its mark on the world.

9th Wonder, also known as Patrick Douthit is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, and rapper. He has released more than four albums and collaborated on more than 20 albums. He has worked with Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, and others. In 2007, he was appointed as an Artist-in-Residence at Durham’s North Carolina Central University.

Bull City-born G. Yamazawa, also known as George Masao Yamazawa Jr, is a rapper, National Poetry Slam Champion and the voice of state-wide ‘North Cack’ anthem. His affinity for his cultural roots are palpable; It's the North Cack baby I'm a boss / Carolina barbecue sauce, with the slaw… but in true Durham fashion, speaks boldly as a Japanese-American defiant about where his true love lies.

Christopher “Play” Martin is a rapper and actor, best known as half of the late 1980s/early 1990s hip hop/comedy duo Kid ‘n Play that starred in the 1990 movie House Party and subsequent sequels. Play is the founder and CEO of HP4 Digital, a pre- and post-production multimedia company for film, digital media, and theater.

Nnenna Freelon is a world-renowned jazz singer, composer, producer, arranger and a six-time Grammy nominee. She has released more than 10 albums and has performed with Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, and more. She is the founder of NorthStar Church of the Arts, a legacy project of Nnenna's and her husband, the late Phil Freelon.

Betty Davis, born Betty Gray Mabry and also known as The Queen of Funk, was born in Durham. She later went on to gain acclaim as a singer, songwriter and model who was also married to storied trumpeter Miles Davis. Her music was known for its flamboyance, emotional realism and futurist fashion sense, making her a trailblazer for women in the music industry. You can find a mural memorializing this influential artist at UHill.

Gospel singer and pastor Shirley Caesar grew up in Durham. She is a multiple Grammy Award nominee and 11- time winner. She has sung for Presidents and world leaders. Pastor Caesar started out in the early 1960s singing with the group the Caravans, and went on as a solo artist in 1966. She has released more than 40 solo albums during her career.

Current Durham resident, NEA Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and Tony Award nominee composer Branford Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time. The three-time Grammy Award winner is the head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002 that has allowed him to produce both his own projects and new jazz artists.

In 1951, Durham-born rhythm and blues singer Clyde McPhatter (1932-1972) was a member of the Dominoes when their #1 R&B hit, “Sixty Minute Man,” became the first ever song by an African-American group to make the pop charts. After leaving their group in 1953, McPhatter signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" were among the group’s biggest hits. In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Exemplifying true Bull City grit, Rissi Palmer paved her own way through the country music industry, becoming the first Black female country artist to ascend the Billboard Hot Country Singles Charts since Dona Mason in 1987. Palmer has performed at nationally acclaimed venues like The White House and The Grand Ole Opry and made national TV appearances on ABC News Live, CNN and more. She is also the host of the podcast Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer on Apple Music.

Electropop duo Sylvan Esso, comprised of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn, calls Durham home. Their self titled debut album reached number 39 on the Billboard 200 and number seven on the Independent Albums chart. From there, they have performed at some of the countries largest festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Showing some hometown love, Sylvan Esso also organizes and performs at the Good Moon Festival.

Originally from Indiana but now a Durham resident, John Darnielle is the primary mind behind the band The Mountain Goats. In 2006, Darnielle was named one of the "100 Best Living Songwriters" by Paste. The Mountain Goats has gained a cult following through its compelling, literary lyrics and lo-fi sound.

Durham native Don Schlitz, is the 2-time Grammy Award winner singer-songwriter of "The Gambler" and "Forever and Ever, Amen;" he has won three CMA Song of the Year Awards and two ACM Song of Year Awards; he has a four-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year; he has written 24 number one singles and a Broadway Musical. He is a member of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Singer-songwriter Sam Beam, better known by his stage name, Iron and Wine, resides in Durham. He has released six studio albums, many of which charted on Billboard 200, peaking with Kiss Each Other Clean at number two.

Those in the know regarding Durham's stranger side will not be surprised to discover that the creators of Netflix's Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, hail from Durham. Matt and Ross Duffer pay homage to their roots multiple times throughout the series, referencing places like Jordan Lake and the Eno River and businesses like Bullock's Barbecue and El Rodeo. These references have inspired others to theorize even deeper local connections, like finding a potential link between an underground facility in Pittsboro to the lab in Stranger Things.

Ernest Ernie Barnes Jr. (1938–2009) was an African American painter, football player, actor and author who grew up in Durham and graduated from Hillside High School. Barnes went to Durham’s North Carolina Central University and then later played professional football for the Baltimore Colts, New York Titans, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. Barnes famously painted “Sugar Shack,” a piece that was featured on the cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1976 album I Want You.

James Jackson "Biff " Henderson Jr. was born in Durham and graduated from Hillside High School. He went on to become a comedian and television personality best known for his work as stage manager and performer on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Durham native Ayesha Rascoe is best known for her position as host of NPR's Weekend Edition, though her voice graces the mics of many other shows including Up First's Saturday edition and The Sunday Story. Rascoe graduated from Southern High School, right here in Durham, and still calls the Bull City home.

Fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley, has had a long career at Vogue magazine and has been a front-row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris, London and Milan for more than 25 years. Talley was born and raised in Durham and graduated from Durham’s North Carolina Central University. Talley is a former assistant to Andy Warhol and has advised the Obama family on fashion. In 2010 Talley appeared on the show America’s Next Top Model. Talley has authored two books and worked other projects.