African American Music Thesis
Thesis Statement:
The earlier forms of African American music - ragtime, blues, and gospel - have significantly impacted popular genres like hip hop, rock, and country music today, by influencing their rhythms, lyrics, and themes, and by carrying forward the legacy of African American musical expression.
Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Background information on the historical significance of African American music in shaping popular genres
B. Thesis statement
II. Development of Early African American Music
A. Ragtime
B. Blues
C. Gospel
III. Impact of African American Music on Popular Genres
A. Hip hop
1. Rhythms and beats
2. Lyrics and themes
3. Case study: Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly"
B. Rock
1. Blues roots and influences
2. Case
…show more content…
From the early days of slavery and plantation life, African American people have used music as a form of resistance, community building, and creative expression, and their musical traditions have continued to evolve and impact the mainstream music scene across genres and generations. This essay explores the impact of earlier forms of African American music - ragtime, blues, and gospel - on popular genres like hip hop, rock, and country music, and how they shape contemporary musical …show more content…
Blues
The blues is a genre of music that emerged from the Deep South in the late 19th century, and was characterized by its soulful vocals, expressive guitar playing, and melancholic lyrics. It was a genre that expressed the hardships and joys of African American life, and was often played in juke joints, churches, and street corners. The blues heavily influenced the development of rock music, and its legacy can be seen in the work of artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and John Lee Hooker.
C. Gospel
Gospel music is a form of Christian music that emerged from the African American church in the 1920s and 30s. It was characterized by its call-and-response style of singing, powerful vocal harmonies, and overtly religious lyrics. Gospel music was a means of expressing faith, hope, and social justice, and its influence can be seen in the work of artists like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Kirk Franklin.
III. Impact of African American Music on Popular Genres
A. Hip
Motown Research Paper
1489 Words | 6 PagesIn order for African Americans to remain present in musical affairs R&B emerged. Arnold Shaw, a songwriter, described R&B best when he said, “R&B was liberated music, which in its pristine form represented a break with white, mainstream pop. Developing from black sources , it embodied the fervor of gospel music, the throbbing vigor of boogie-woogie, the jump beat of swing, and the gutsiness and sexuality of life in the black ghetto” (qtd. in Bjorn and Gallert 170).
Ma Rainy's Accomplishments
1504 Words | 7 PagesAs stated earlier, blues music grew out of post-Reconstruction African American communities. It was the black proletariat from the Southern United States that was the economic force behind performers such as Ma Rainey (Springer 34). While discussing Ma Rainey’s latest record sales, Sturdyvant reveals that he is disappointed by the sales data. Although Ma’s records are popular in Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta, they did not sell well in places such as New York City (Wilson 19). As a result, Sturdyvant expresses to Irvin his desire to began a career in a more “respectable” industry (Wilson 19).
Reconstruction By Sandra Graham: An Analysis
2006 Words | 9 PagesOne of the most known examples of African American musical expression was shown through their spirituals, which brought them together. They often used their past or their surroundings to influence their expressions of themselves. Also, music took the path of soul and blues as it became more popular and accessible for African Americans to play together. Likewise, it opened up to blues and soul; later, it was
Influence Of Scott Joplin On African American Music
558 Words | 3 PagesIzabella Argueta Professor Copeland Essay 9 MUSH 101 11/17/14 Essay 9 Music in the 20th century was changed by African and African-American in many ways. Due to several jazz type artists as well as adding African type music into the mix. Several types of music that are influenced by African styles include ragtime, blues, and jazz. Without this influence, music would not be what it is today.
What Impact Did Elvis Have On America Essay
515 Words | 3 PagesInfluences from popular African American blues artist were noted to have had a huge impact on Elvis’ music career. Although many people today claim that Elvis had initially ‘stolen’ the African American sound of blues, Elvis has never denied their impact on his career. He has always acknowledged and respected the fact that African Americans had been making a similar sound of music prior to the beginning of his career. Despite the assumptions made about this ‘stealing’ of sound, the interviews Elvis appeared in substantiated the fact that he wasn’t intentionally stealing their sound, instead incorporating it in music his own way. The fact that white covers of African American songs often outsold the original kept America segregated and created competition between the two races when instead, music should have helped create peace and respect within both
Autobiography Of An Ex-Colored Man Themes
981 Words | 4 PagesMUS 1013 Critical Essay A Racial relations between African Americans and European Americans in the early 20th century had a substantial impact on the evolution of rock music in America. A prominent example of racial disparity in regard to music is James Weldon Johnson’s “Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”. This novel portrays the experience of a mixed-race man in the early 1900s, grappling with his race, and facing challenges in society, greatly divided at the time. Johnson’s novel spotlights the cross-cultural synthesis of musical elements as different communities attempted to assert their cultural identity.
How Rock And Roll Changed America Essay
829 Words | 4 PagesIn the 1950's they believed race and music interlocked with each other. Rock was becoming a “highly visible and contested arena for struggles over racial identity and cultural and economic empowerment in the United States” (p.35). The roots of rock and roll can be traced back to African American rhythm and blues traditions. The emergence of rock and roll in the 1950s coincided with a time of
Appropriating African American Culture
296 Words | 2 Pagesobsessively revered and imitated African-American blues and rock musicians. This type of musical inspiration isn’t inherently bad—it’s practically unavoidable (Zimmerman 2014).” Are African American’s appropriating African Culture? During, the British colonization of American they were met with a number of conflicts.
African American Gospel Music Essay
1017 Words | 5 PagesIsabella Saia Professor McCrary FYS 162-03 13 March 2023 My Journey Through the Experience of African American Gospel Music As I continue to grow and learn in this class, I have formed a thorough understanding of African American Gospel music. African American Gospel music is an art that forms genres of music that have been rooted in the African American church. This music has changed a lot as different genres have formed through time including, but not limited to, gospel, jazz, hymns, blues, and rap.
Essay On African American Radio
1475 Words | 6 PagesIntroduction The 21century radio is a melting pot of different creeds and nationalities; however, the social norms that we are accustomed to have not always been widely accepted. The African-American community has been suppressed and barely heard throughout the radio airways in America. As early as the 1920s, African-Americans have been behind the scenes in popular music on radio. For many, the idea of change introduced into society gave way to inevitable backlash from others who didn’t agree with African-Americans having a voice on the radio.
Blues Music And Ethos Pathos Logos
761 Words | 4 PagesIn the Rolling Stone magazine, the author, Brian Hiatt, uses pathos and ethos to successfully develop the article regarding the roots of blues music and how it has been reimagined today with the release of the new album “Blue and Lonesome” by the Rolling Stones. With intent to create a fervent
How Did Chuck Berry Influence Society
682 Words | 3 PagesIntroduction: Chuck Berry, an iconic African American singer-songwriter, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of rock and roll. With his innovative guitar riffs, energetic performances, and captivating storytelling, Berry's music not only defined the genre but also broke down racial barriers in the music industry. This essay explores the life, musical contributions, and lasting legacy of Chuck Berry, highlighting his impact on popular music and his enduring influence on generations of musicians. Early Life and Musical Influences: Charles Edward Anderson Berry, known as Chuck Berry, was born on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up in a racially segregated society, Berry was exposed to both African American
Music In The 1920s Essay
894 Words | 4 PagesIn the 1920s, there were many popular kinds of music. For example, there was Jazz, blues, swing, dance band, classical, big band, country, and many more. Almost all of these genres originated from the work of African Americans influenced by their culture and heritage. (Tennant, Amie. "Radio and Music in the 1920s United States.")
Four Categories Of Black Music
284 Words | 2 PagesThe four most popular categories of Black music are Blues, Jazz, Gospel, and Rhythm and Blues. The blues has deep roots in American history, particularly African-American history. Blues lyrics often deal with personal adversity, the blues is about overcoming hard luck, saying what you feel, and musical style which is expressed in songs that verse injustice or express longing for a better life and lost loves, jobs and money. The blues originated on Southern plantations in the 19th Century. Jazz is recognized around the world for its rich cultural heritage rooted in the African-American experience.
The Role Of Music In The Civil Rights Movement
875 Words | 4 PagesMusic is not only used to capture peoples hearing but it is used to power peoples minds through the power of an individuals voice. Music served a critical role in the African American’s lives, as it was used to uplift their spirits as well as providing them with hope and strength to fight for civil rights and overcome segregation between white superiority and the unfair treatment of the inferior black. Music was defined as the voice of the people that lived through the oppression of the civil rights movement. During the civil rights movement, there were many different types of music genres sung, dependent on the culture, this included spiritual music; gospel and even folk music, which was performed by musicians, singers and even people of any musical talents. Through this, it brought about the uniting of people to join together and sing songs that helped them go through the oppression of the civil rights movement.
More about African American Music Thesis
Motown Research Paper
1489 Words | 6 PagesMa Rainy's Accomplishments
1504 Words | 7 PagesReconstruction By Sandra Graham: An Analysis
2006 Words | 9 PagesInfluence Of Scott Joplin On African American Music
558 Words | 3 PagesWhat Impact Did Elvis Have On America Essay
515 Words | 3 PagesAutobiography Of An Ex-Colored Man Themes
981 Words | 4 PagesHow Rock And Roll Changed America Essay
829 Words | 4 PagesAppropriating African American Culture
296 Words | 2 PagesAfrican American Gospel Music Essay
1017 Words | 5 PagesEssay On African American Radio
1475 Words | 6 PagesBlues Music And Ethos Pathos Logos
761 Words | 4 PagesHow Did Chuck Berry Influence Society
682 Words | 3 PagesMusic In The 1920s Essay
894 Words | 4 PagesFour Categories Of Black Music
284 Words | 2 PagesThe Role Of Music In The Civil Rights Movement
875 Words | 4 Pages