“At some point you have to take responsibility for who you are and where you are and being able to listen to other points of view, whichever side of the tracks you're on.”

American musician, actress, and author

Rhiannon Giddens is an American musician, actress, and author known for her eclectic folk music. She first came to wide notice as a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, where she sang lead and played fiddle and banjo. Her work blends traditional American sounds with a broad, searching approach to folk music. Through Carolina Chocolate Drops and her later work as a solo artist, she has been recognized for performance rooted in old forms, with words and music that often reflect history, identity, and memory.