Billie Holiday's musical career was profoundly shaped by familial influences, particularly the relationship with her mother, Sarah Julia Fagan. Growing up in a challenging environment marked by poverty and adversity, Holiday was exposed to music at an early age. Her mother's struggles and experiences of abuse and hardship deeply impacted Holiday's songwriting, infusing her music with themes of loss and heartbreak. Additionally, her father's absence and complex family dynamics contributed to the emotional depth of her performances, making her a powerful and authentic voice in the jazz genre.