I like to distinguish between smart (or stupid) and learned (or ignorant). I don't doubt HB is smart and probably somewhat learned, though I've never seen anything to confirm that. By contrast, we know that Kareem Abdul Jabbar is both because he writes.
I happen to have just googled "All Night Long" a few minutes ago after hearing it at Dunkin and found out that the African lyrics are gibberish.
Anyway Belafonte seemed like a pretty smart guy.
I like to distinguish between smart (or stupid) and learned (or ignorant). I don't doubt HB is smart and probably somewhat learned, though I've never seen anything to confirm that. By contrast, we know that Kareem Abdul Jabbar is both because he writes.
I like the story where he went through Dubois' footnotes then told the librarian, "Just give me everything you got by Ibid."
That was Jabbar?
No Belafonte.
This is an interview transcript, but it reads like good writing to me.
https://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/16/sing_your_song_harry_belafonte_on