Aretha Franklin performs at the Kennedy Center in Washington in 2015. That’s her purse atop the piano.
Carrying a purse onstage may seem unconventional, but Black women have a history of being “attached” to their handbags.
Contemporary artists like Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, and PinkPantheress follow the lead of the legendary Aretha Franklin, who traditionally kept her bag close at hand.
These women have also become known for taking their handbags with them everywhere, including the stage.
Fans have noticed.
