African-American music

Music played a major part in African American history because it expressed emotions and feelings from the white oppressor through words. Africans spoke tales or poems during slavery to symbolize the power of the common people over unjust rulers and using them to “portray the ability of slaves to outsmart and ridicule their masters” (pg. 61). During the Antebellum period between 1820-1861, African Americans in Philadelphia wrote music and performed it in the orchestra. One of the best female singers of the period was Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. She was born a slave but known as the “Black Swan, Taylor gained renown for her vocal range” (pg. 148). Music progressed through the late 19th and early 20th century in the form of ragtime, jazz, and…

African-Americans created a unique style of music that has played an integral part of American culture and shaped the development of African-American life for many decades. \Throughout U.S. history, the music scene has been a unique one compared to other countries, due in large part to the influence of African-American artists whose music reflects their struggles and triumphs. One only needs to browse through the albums of such African-American musical artists to see the creative talent and…

African American Music came about during the time of slavery in America. Africans from many different ethnicities and nationalities built their religious and secular rituals, festivals, and social gatherings on the foundation of song, dances, and rhythms they invented to cope with the New World realities. During the slavery era, enslaved African American became the musicians of choice for white and black celebrations because they were recognized as the best “musicians” around. Enslaved Africans…

Beginning in the seventeenth century, the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia to aid in the production of profitable crops is where a soon to be flourishing slave trade witnesses Africans being snatched and carried to America in bondage, separating them from their families, leaving them with no sense of familiarity. Although, unfortunate, out of this state of anguish and distress came the development of a new culture. Vast generations of Africans…

Back in enslavement time, African slaves brought their music to the North America. They were singing and dancing to voice their suffering and to worship God by field hollers and ring shouts. African slaves used blues music for their religion and pray god within songs and their instruments. Over time, blues music and gospel emerged within oral tradition of African American culture in black community churches and they started to use blues music in the worship of God and the base music of the…

Assignment 1 African American work songs were originally developed during slavery, between the 1700’s and 1900's. Because they were part of a culture where they couldn’t write, they decided to record the songs orally when the era of slavery came to an end after 1865. Many of their origins in African song traditions may have been sung to remind the Africans of home, while others were forced to sing these songs by their owners to raise morale and keep Africans working efficiently. They have also…

Gospel, Spirituals, Blues, and Rap: African American Music Introduction In the African American culture, we have several different genres of music. Each genre Has a special place in the history of the African American culture. Slaves used Spirituals as a way of communication later branched off into different genres. Negro Spirituals In the olden days, Slaves lived very difficult lives. They weren't entitled to many things, but they were given the rights to go to church and play music.…

Universal Language Music was there for me. Music has always been there for me. When I needed someone the most, it was there to fill the void. In the dark, when I couldn’t see myself or the people in front of me, music was the light. Living with mom in such a hazy world and in a literal sense, I don’t remember half of it. I only remember feeling so lost and empty. But I feel complete around music and people involved in music. Almost as if they are closer to family then kin-blood itself.…

As an avid music listener and frequent concert goer, I have noticed the lack of diversity throughout the rock, specifically alternative, music scene. No matter the style, there are relatively few Black artists gaining success in rock music, despite the historical impact African Americans have made on the genre. There are many possible causes for this racial divide in something as easily accessible as music, starting in the early roots of rock and continuing through the 20th and 21st centuries.…

hillbilly music, black and white people in the south had their different shows and concerts. They were not that many visible interracial integrations or collaboration between singers. Every community had their own shows and their musical style. So, it was very important that the Grand Ole Opry signed in Bailey because they realized that they could get more audience in order to expand their show, which they eventually did. For instance, the author of the book, Hidden in the Mix: The African…