Okeh Record Company: Influence In The Development Of Race Music

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1. What is a "race" record? how were these records marketed?
A race record is a record that is mainly sold to African Americans. The record features talented African American musicians. These records were marketed by recording companies. One company was the Okeh Record Company. Race records were also being sold in stores and outlets, so they were marketed.

2. How did classic blues differ from country blues?
Country blues were authentic songs that were song by actually African Americans. Some people that performed these songs are laborers . Classic blues were less authentic then country blues. When the fascination for “Negro music” came along many song artist that weren’t African American decided to get into this craze. They started trying to make music that matched the fascination that was …show more content…

Why was radio more influential in the development of hillbilly music than in the development of race music?
Radio was more influencal for hillbilly music, because most people could afford the radio. At the time the radio companies were owned by white people, so they would play songs mostly made by white people, like hillbilly music. Race music however, wasn’t played on the radio since they weren’t made by white people.
Essay question
1. Starr and Waterman note that “the use of encoded, or hidden, meaning in the blues has its roots in many earlier genres of African American music.” These coded messages often take the form of referencing local landmarks (i.e., “where the southern cross the dog”) and sexual references (i.e., “That Black Snake Moan”). How do these traditions continue to impact popular music? Starr and Waterman note “songs of slaves could embody secret messages that were impossible to state directly in the presence of the masters or overseers.” Why might coded references be used in contemporary music? In which genres do you think this technique is most prevalent? Cite some specific examples of coded messages in contemporary music that reference this

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