How Did Music Influence African American Culture

American history was radically changed when President Abraham Lincoln gave the very famous Emancipation Proclamation. This lead to the freedom of millions of African Americans who sought the same liberty and equality that was promised to everyone under the United States constitution. These liberties, of course, were not achieved right away. During the Reconstruction era, which is the decade right after the Civil War, many of the recently freed slaves did not have money, property, or credit. They could not buy the necessary things to enjoy their freedom, which lead to sharecropping, a glorified form of slavery. Sharecropping is a system of agriculture in which a landowner lets a tenant use the land in return for a share of the crops produced on their portion of land (Sharecropping).. Added on to this, facilities were segregated to prevent the black man from enjoying the same things as the white man due to Jim Crow laws which were enacted after the Reconstruction era. The struggle for equality and rights continued during the Gilded Age (1873-1900), the Progressive Era (1900-1920s), the Great Depression (1930s), WWII (1939-1945), the beginning of the Cold War (1947), up until the Civil Rights movement (1954-1968). At this point in history, African Americans fought for their rights and changed the course of American history. Music was a very important tool used by African Americans that helped achieve this. Ever since the slavery times, music was a big part of their culture

Music was tied to the black identity because of the historical significance that songs had. Slaves had not lost their interest in music when the owners forced them to work on plantations, and their songs were one of the few things that slave owners could not take away from them. [!crendentials] Eileen Southern discussed how slaves were part of the musical tradition even during the colonial era. Slaves sang their own music for recreation, but they also sang psalms and hymns from the Bible and performed for their masters. While living in captivity, music was one of the few areas of life in which slaves had autonomy. In addition to having group time away from their physical tasks, the structure of the songs allowed for more bonding because of

African American influence in music has been an ever present and controversial subject in American history. Stemming from many different cultures, religions and backgrounds, large portions of American music was introduced by, and credited to African Americans. Although in many cases, this music was used for entertainment by the masses or majority, contrary to popular belief, black music served a greater purpose than just recreation. Dating all the way back to the beginning of slavery in the U.S. during the 17th century, music has been used to make a statement and send a message. As African American music progressed over the years, there were common themes expressed as the genres evolved. It has been an open letter to the world, documenting and protesting the ongoing oppression faced by blacks in the United States, as well as an outlet for frustration. For many African Americans, the music gave them the only voice that couldn’t be silenced by their oppressors.

In ancient African civilizations music took precedence in all activities that the tribes participated in. There was a song for every celebration, every birth, and every death. As Africans were enslaved and moved to North America by Europeans, many customs and traditions followed with them. As their culture was stripped from them and European ideals were placed upon them, they kept song as their universal language and their link to the motherland. From early on, slave songs also known as “Negro Spirituals” were the first inclination of what could be considered African American music. These songs were largely influenced by the conversion of many Africans to Christianity, and generally held a religious overtone. As slavery came and went and

Throughout history African Americans have always fought for true equality. Whether it be slave revolts or sitting in the reserved section for whites on a segregated bus, African Americans have stood up for their rights and demanded change in society. One way they fostered a change in society is through the development of music. Historically, African American musicians have uniquely expressed their ideals of the American Dream through musical periods such as jazz, rock, and rap and the historical movements behind them by utilizing their elevated platform to speak about the plight of African Americans and fight for equality through historical protests, music, and speeches.

The roots of modern american rock and roll music, are firmly planted in Africa. As the native Africans were torn apart from their family’s and brought to the new world their lives were immediately and drastically changed forever. Finding themselves immersed in a completely new environment with a foreign culture, they thankfully persevered and carried on with their own traditions and most importantly to this paper, musical ones. Most American slaves originated from Western and Central Africa. The West Africans carried a musical tradition rich with long melody lines, complicated rhythms (poly rhythmics) and stringed instruments CITATION. The West Africans music was also strongly integrated into their everyday lives. Songs were preformed for religious ceremonies and dances and music was often a

What is the purpose of music in society? Foremost, in layman terms, music is just sounds. However, individuals then use these sounds as a medium in order to spread certain ideas and emotions across society. Naturally over time different types of music become associated with different communities; thus, this identification creates an overgeneralized interpretation of who these communities are and what they stand for. One prime example is the stereotype that jazz and swing was the music of the African Americans in 20th century Los Angeles. Even though it may be true, the stereotype does not give an answer as to why or how jazz and swing became to be known as “black music”. In order to answer these questions, it is imperative to know what conditions

African American people have had it rough for years. But over time, they have influenced us beyond belief. One of the main things they influenced was music. So I am here to explain to you how the African American culture has done just that!

On the other hand, Blues were basically from work songs of African Americans slaves at the time. “It is a native American music, the product of the black man in this country, or, to put it more exactly the way I have come to think about it, blues could not exist if the African captives had not become American captives”(pp.17), said Jones and Baraka. In Jazz – A History, Frank Tirro wisely analyzes and explains the relationship between the unique background and

Music plays many roles in the life of African Americans still, but back then it was trying to get a statement out that people would listen to. There were many singer who did everything they could ton show they were against it like Guy and Candle Carawan. They sing the songs “Tree Of Life,” “Eyes on the Prize,” and “We Shall Overcome.” There was more than just them. You had Pete Seegger, Jamilia Jone, and many more.

Throughout the history of this country, the music of African-Americans has remained a strong influence upon our society and culture. Beginning with the music carried over from Africa with the slaves, up until now, with the new styles created by urban youth today, African-Americans have retained certain elements within their music which makes it unique from any other musical form. Some of the musical forms which were created from, and/or were strongly influenced by afro-centric musical characteristics are: Hymnals, Gospel, Spirituals, Ragtime, the blues, and R&B. While many of these musical forms are still popular today amongst Blacks and Non-Blacks, jazz and hip-hop are arguably the two most widespread and

In today’s day and age, it’s easy to hear black culture represented in most hip-hop; that is the dominating music genre that expresses African American views. It’s not so easy to remember where African Americans influence on music al began. Black influence on music today is really unrecognized but it’s important to bring to light just how much African Americans really have contributed to the sound, style, and feel of today’s music. Not just hip-hop or rap, but all kinds of music.

It is no secret that African Americans have influenced American music in a major way. African Americans are important in the development of every genre of American music. The

African American Music became an artistic expression of experiences of slavery before the Civil War. The idiosyncratic music not only unveiled physical and mental harshness to which slaves were subjected but also became a weapon to combat oppression . Blues were born out of folk songs that dealt with the hardships faced by plantation workers.The harmonic series of African origin were fused with European music styles to lay down the foundation of Jazz and Blues of the Civil Rights Movement. Both became ideal forms of race music which revived the interest in African roots. Both forms expressed disappointment that even after hundred years of Emanicipation proclamation which guaranteed citizenship rights to all , the rights were not granted in spirit. New Orleans Jazz restored the hymns which were rooted in African tradition during The African American Civil Rights Movement. It bears testimony to the contribution made by African- Americans to American society .Throughout the Movement , artists like Nina Simone , Billie Holiday and Curtis Mayfield endeavoured to uplift the spirits by spreading the message of solidarity and brotherhood through their

African Americans have contributed their culture to America in many ways especially with music. Due to enslavement coming into America, they were then faced with horrific trials and tribulations. Referring back to the homeland of Africa, Africans have been composing and performing music for different purposes such as marriages, births, and funerals. They even use music to tell stories and communicate with one another. However, while transporting over to the new world, Africans were forced into slavery and brought their musical traditions with them to communicate with one another which then transitioned into songs of spirituals. Spirituals were birthed in slavery to help the slaves get through the hard times. African American