Which American gained fame with his performance of "Jim Crow," becoming the first international American song hit?

The individual who gained fame with his performance of "Jim Crow" and is recognized as the first international American song hit is Thomas Dartmouth Rice. In the early 19th century, Rice was a white performer who popularized minstrel shows, which featured songs and dances that caricatured African American culture.

His character "Jim Crow" became a symbol of this genre and helped to spread this type of performance internationally, marking a significant moment in American music history. Rice's work not only established him as a leading figure in American entertainment but also reflected the complex and often troubling dynamics of race in American culture. This performance and the subsequent popularity of the song laid the groundwork for the development of American popular music, influencing future musical styles and genres.

While other figures like Stephen Collins Foster, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin made significant contributions to American music, it was Rice's performance of "Jim Crow" that specifically marked a turning point in achieving international recognition for American songs.