History

In the early days of slavery, the spiritual or work song was one of the most effective means of maintaining a feeling of camaraderie, hope, and faith between slaves. In a time when instruments and freedom of expression were forbidden, slaves used the only tools they had–their voices–to build the rhythmic “call and response” songs that would sustain them spiritually. Singing talent was not as necessary as true passion for the song and its message.

The origins of the work song could be traced to the African heritage and religions slaves were forced to leave behind. Throughout time, they began to contain messages that went beyond religion to everyday struggles, hope for freedom, thoughts of escape and even secret messages to each other, as in “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” which some believe made reference to the Underground Railroad. Spirituals also became a way of preserving the oral traditions of a culture that seemed lost under the oppression of slavery. These simple songs of strength would become the foundation of generations of music to come.

With the end of slavery in 1865, many freedoms were bestowed upon the former slaves. They no longer had to remain voiceless, and were free to worship as they wished. Plantation spirituals now reminded people of a darker time and while these songs were still appreciated, a more jubilant tone began to take over. As many of the slaves had been converted to Christianity, religion became a source of unity and celebration. Spirited vocals, clapping and foot stomping became the norm and gospel took over. While many white artists also performed gospel music, the music rooted in slave spirituals had a distinct sound and what would eventually become urban contemporary gospel music began to take shape. This type of gospel combines a message of faith with a continually evolving sound that has picked up blues and jazz influences, along with a wide variety of instruments. Throughout the years, influential black gospel artists have ranged from pioneer Mahalia Jackson to today’s ethereal harpist, Jeff Majors.

Also with the end of slavery came a feeling of displacement for many African Americans. Once the Civil War was over, most former slaves were faced with having to find a new life in a country where they were not fully accepted, and racism still left people divided. This transition period led to the formation of a new genre of music–the blues.

Blues music mirrored the emotions of the newly freed slaves. Where African Americans had always been stripped of their identity, they now had the freedom to explore their individuality, which was reflected in this highly personal and individualized genre. Blues music was influenced by the early call-and-response style as gospel music was. As blacks began to migrate to the North to find work in industry instead of agriculture, they brought the blues with them and its popularity soared. Beginning with George W. Johnson’s recording of “Laughing Song” in 1895, the legacy of blues artists grew to include greats like Mamie Smith, BB King, Ethel Waters and many more.

From this success came countrywide traveling blues shows, which opened doors for a wider acceptance of “black music.” An improvisational, freestyle form called ragtime also became popular. Best known for this style of music, Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle partnered to become the first black artists to perform and be accepted on stage without blackface. Blake also rose to fame as a composer and pianist who brought an African-American voice to Broadway, something once unheard of.

Around the 1920s, black artists of every kind were flourishing, from painters and poets to musicians and novelists. Creative expression took on new forms at a feverish pace. A newly found pride was beginning to take shape among those who had long suffered…one that would eventually be known as “The Harlem Renaissance.”As boundaries in the arts began to show the first signs of crumbling, the ever-changing influence of the evolving black culture on American music began to form yet another genre of music–jazz.

	A rare photo of Jimmy Smith at a Hammond B3 Organ.
	Picture courtesy of www.hammond-organ.com in association with Mark David Hill

The pursuit of “The American Dream” by African Americans led to more northern migration, and cities gained more population. It was at this time that jazz music, which had already become recognizable, went mainstream and began to cross racial barriers into white culture—an indication of changes yet to come. Black soldiers fighting overseas in WWI gained a sense that there was a world beyond the United States and upon their return, music gained an international flavor.

The sounds of military big brass bands became popular and blended with the music of the French, who were settling in the New Orleans area. This influx of new sounds, attitudes and multicultural influence resulted in a new culture that included jazz clubs and a sound that focused on rhythm, improvisation and creativity. Influential jazz artists throughout the years included Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Jimmy Smith, known as the Master of the Hammond B3 Organ.

Much like WWI, WWII had its own effects on black culture and, in turn, the music that resulted. Around the time of the Second World War, African Americans continued to leave the south in search of a more prosperous life, and settled in cities such as Chicago, NY and Detroit. Many felt like their music, namely jazz, had “sold out” and gone mainstream, losing its authenticity. A more urban sound developed and became known as rhythm and blues, or R&B. Again, once this music hit the radio waves, it caught on quickly with both blacks and whites. Some of the most well known and influential R&B artists include Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, and the more recent Destiny’s Child and Mary J Blige, to name only a few.

	The piano has been a constant companion to countless notable R&B artists, such as Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys. All sing their groundbreaking music while seated at a piano much like the one pictured here.

As the 1950s got into full swing, some artists, most notably James Brown, infused R&B with a gospel sound for a soulful music known as funk. Named after a slang word for body odor, funk music combined previous genres and an authentic African style to produce a complex groove that showed, once again, the powerful influence of blacks on American music history. The resulting R&B and funk of the 60s and 70s helped to shape not only the careers of George Clinton, Earth, Wind and Fire, Sly and the Family Stone and others, but also the disco, punk, and hip hop crazes to follow.

The 1950s also saw the explosion of a musical genre that would influence every aspect of American culture. There is much debate surrounding the origins of rock & roll, but there is no doubt that it is deeply rooted in African American culture, namely the blues, with R&B and country influences. In a time when racial tensions were high in America, rock & roll provided an outlet where, for the first time, the blacks and whites who wanted to could come together in an audience and watch a style of music that included the contributions of both cultures.

The worldwide effects of rock & roll were enormous and, in America, this music symbolized the Civil Rights Movement by allowing cultures to come together and enjoy a sound that was beginning to break down long-standing barriers. From the early Chuck Berry and his “duck walk” to the retro-tinged rock of Lenny Kravitz, African American rock & roll stars gained iconic status with the American public–a far cry from the days of not being permitted on stage.

	Tracy Chapman is known for her folk-influenced music, strong voice and empowering lyrics.

As the 1980s approached and rock & roll integrated into American culture, a lighter sound developed that became known as pop music. Highly mainstream, pop music included a wide range of artists with sounds that took their cues from many different influences. From Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and their fiercely successful R&B-inspired sounds to the later folk-influenced, politically charged songs of Tracy Chapman, African Americans had developed a voice within the industry that could not be denied.

With the birth of MTV, which made artists and their ethnicity more visible than ever before, and the release of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 1982–arguably one of the most successful and influential records of all time–pop music was taken to an all new level. All it took was one turn of the radio knob or trip to the record store to see that African Americans were not merely a part of the American music scene, but that it simply could not exist without them.

As the popularity of rock & roll and pop music became a permanent part of American culture, many felt like the voice of the African American who had contributed so much to their creation was lost. Racial boundaries stayed strong, and a new style of black music began to take shape in the city streets in the 1970s, taking its name from a slang word for conversation–rap. Traced back to the call and response style used by the slaves, and perhaps even further back to the traditional African folk poets, rap relied on the voice as an instrument and provided an expressive outlet for those who felt frustrated and oppressed. It also provided an alternative to violence as verbal “battles” became popular.

In the 1980s and beyond, this new genre combined with R&B rhythms and took on a life of its own. Artists such as the SugarHill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, Salt ‘n Pepa and TLC skyrocketed to success and hip hop became a cultural phenomenon. The hip hop movement gives those who can relate to the history of blacks in America a sense of identification within a larger culture that often overpowers their voice.

It is important to note that although each style of music has played a part in the formation of future styles, each has remained a strong, individual genre that is still appreciated and performed today. The legacy of American music, much like America itself, has become what it is today not only by blending cultures, but by appreciating their individuality as well. The story of American music is really a story about history and those within it that used music to tell the stories of their lives, with all the joy and pain, victory and struggle, doubt and pride, set to the beat.

	Russell Simmons has found success in ventures as varied as hip hop music, clothing, comedy and charitable organizations.

It’s hard to predict the next chapter of the story. Today’s black artists are involved in every aspect of entertainment, from music to acting to business, and the next generation will undoubtedly benefit even further from their examples of excellence. From the multi-faceted, seemingly unstoppable Queen Latifah to hip hop business tycoon and philanthropist Russell Simmons, today’s artists are continuing to write their own story, and the sky is the limit.

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