Ms. Hunter was born in Memphis, Tennessee. At age 12 she ran away from home to Chicago to start her singing career. She sang in flop joints and saloons until she gained some recognition. Hunter wrote much of her own material. "Down-hearted Blues" a big hit for Bessie Smith, was penned by Hunter.

Hunter made her way to New York and started her recording career on the Black Swan label. Her best recordings were made for Paramount. She traveled to Europe in the 20's to sing jazz, show tunes, blues and pop songs of the day. In the 30's she traveled to the mid-east and Russia. At home she was always welcomed at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

During World War II she entertained troops in China, Burma, India, Korea and Europe with the USO. After the war was over she continued to work in the US and in Canada. In 1956 she retired to care for her mother and didn't reappear until 1977. Surprised that she still had a following after her long retirement, she performed in cabarets until she died in 1984.