Anisa Saigo

Professor Trent Kays

English 102-06-S17

26 April 2017

How do African Americans influence Music?

Throughout the African- American community, African-American in entertainment,

specifically in music has made an impact. Factors such as the evolution of rap and how

it was founded, the meaning of black music and the history leading from then to today,

and artist such as James Brown and Beyonc and how their music influences the black

community. Also, the origin of black music dating back to the African culture leading into

slavery also known as, negro spirituals. The African-American community was and still

is affected by black artist and music and how it relates back to them. The Black

community depends on music as a safe haven, especially when the music is relatable. It

shows how much our community is becoming more and more strong. We are growing

and making music about major topics in our community.

Over the course of time throughout history of music have impacted the black

community. When slaves were taken from Africa, they needed to find ways to talk to

each other. They used to negro spirituals as a connection amongst one another. Songs

originating during the slavery years in the United States, 1600 through 1870, are

generally categorized as plantation, sorrow, and jubilee songs; however, the use of

these melodies goes beyond those labels (Erkerd pg.9). The negro spiritual songs

were more than that, theyve helped slaves. The songs were about slaves begging for a
better life. They didnt ask to be taken away from their home. Negro spirituals such as

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Wade in the Water, and Sometimes I Feel Like a

Motherless Child were spirituals that related back to the slaves and their stories about

them being shipped over and how they were mistreated. They put their realities into

songs that are now known today. "The plantation songs known as Spirituals are the

spontaneous outpourings of intense religious fervor and have their origin chiefly in

camp-meetings, revivals, and other religious exercises. They were never composed but

sprang into life ready made from the heat of religious fervor, during some protracted

meeting in camp or church, as the simple, ecstatic utterance of wholly untutored minds,

and are practically the only music of America which meets the scientific definition of folk-

song" (Burleigh). The Negro spirituals were a mix of Christian influences and African

culture. Moreover, grace, judgement, death, and eternal life have been upcoming topics

in the song because that is what the slaves wanted. They were removed from their

homes for unfair reasoning. They were forced to work on plantations and fields for free.

All they were exposed to was poverty and death. The slaves also lacked

communication skills because of it. The negro spirituals were a way to not only have the

slaves communicate with each other, but it was a way to learn words. Black music

helped in letting the black community prosper leading to explaining deeper thoughts

with music instead of being angry all the time because of unfair changes.

Music in the black community began to expand in the late forties early fifties.

Black became very polished at reproducing white music (Erkerd pg. 2). They begin to

add more of a soul touch to it. African Americans were hired to perform at white affairs.

This put a rise to music in the black community. Moreover, African- American musicians
began to expand, especially in the North and areas that were popular. However, music

in the community was strong. Blacks would go to the record store to buy the latest Blues

hit because not only was it supporting their race but music became relatable. The genre

of blues was mainly about love and music you can dance to.

When the Harlem Renaissance began, the musicians during that time began to

reflect on conditions that black people as whole began to live in. The Harlem

Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem

between the end of World War 1 and the middle of the 1930s (Pbs.org). The

Renaissance incorporated jazz and the blues, attracting whites to Harlem speakeasies,

where interracial couples danced (Pbs.org). Jazz and Blues were compared against one

another. Jazz was more sweeter and fun compared to the slower paced Blues. Being

black during the height of music was difficult. Although, artist such as Duke Ellington

and Louis Armstrong were talented and could hangout and had to sleep across town

where Negros were allowed. Because these blacks black artist was discriminated

against other communities, they took their love of music and used it as bond to hold the

black community together.

Between the 1960s and the 1970s, many African American singers began to

express how they felt. With their sound borrowed and the competition stuff for almighty

dollar, black singers to speak (Erkerd pg. 3). White artist began to steal ideas from

Black artist. Elvis Presley was a famous artist known for doing that. White record

companies managed to find whites who sounded black. It was called Rock and Roll.

Although, Elvis looked up to African American artist such as Chuck Berry and James

Brown. but he was the one who made the millions. The black singers were getting mad
at the fact that they were not being acknowledged for all that they've put in for the music

industry. Civil Rights was a strong topic during the 1960s unequal treatment was

becoming very unfair. African American artist were becoming frustrated so they all join

the revolution of the civil rights movement. They were getting tired of the double

standard amongst the whites and blacks. The movement went to places such as Little

Rock, Detroit, Birmingham, and Harlem. These are places where blacks were present a

lot. What black artist it was create a picture of how blacks felt during this time.

Moreover, African American artist, Billie Holiday, performed a song Strange Fruit.

The song exposed American racism, particularly the lynching of African

Americans. The strange fruit are the African Americans being lynched, hung on a tree.

This goes back to how music relates back to the black community. Music the strongest

voice. It was selfless of black artist because they had to worry about other races taking

their songs and having to go all the way across town just to sleep because the white

community didn't find them welcoming. Moreover, that shows how thoughtful and aware

that black artist is. One artist that stands out is James Brown. He took everyday issues

and made songs about it. For example, school was hard for children around this time

because schools were segregated. Brown made a song, Dont Be a Dropout, this

encouraged young black students to stay in school. Brown then created the song Say It

Loud, Im Black and I'm Proud. The song had a very impactful meaning. For long,

African Americans were hindered from so many skin tone. African Americans were also

discriminated against and thought of as being dumb and not worth anything. James

Brown was an artist that he took from personal experience and experiences that African

Americans face every day. Throughout black communities across America, the song,
became a black national anthem. This song gave a lot of people strength, confidence,

and guidance. Furthermore, Brown recorded the song, Open Door. The message for

this song was about African Americans getting more opportunities for jobs. Many people

don't want to live off the government. They should be granted positions that are equal

amongst the races. James Brown songs brought awareness to racism against the black

communities.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s The Evolution of Hip Hop music affected

and still affects the black community. Rap music has been around for over 20 years and

is still seen as not important. Rap music in America is not considered an art. Henry A,

Rhodes stated that in fact, one can trace the history of rap back to the West African

professional singers/storytellers known as Griots. This is a genre with a deeper

meaning behind it. Rap and Hip Hop originated out of Bronx, New York. There were two

events that led up to Rap and Hip Hop and how it affected and still does affect the

African American community. These pioneers invented sampling (isolating one sound

and reusing it in another song) and hip-hop's other key elements through trial and error,

mostly by fooling around with records at home. This was only the beginning for rap and

Hip Hop.

In the Evolution of Rap music affected and still affects the black community. Rap

music has been around for over 20 years and is still seen as not important. Rap music

in America is not considered an art. Henry A, Rhodes stated that in fact, one can trace

the history of rap back to the West African professional singers/storytellers known as

Griots. This is a genre with a deeper meaning behind it. Rap and Hip Hop originated

out of Bronx, New York. There were two events that led up to Rap and Hip Hop and
how it affected and still does affect the African American community. These pioneers

invented sampling (isolating one sound and reusing it in another song) and hip-hop's

other key elements through trial and error, mostly by fooling around with records at

home. This was only the beginning for rap and Hip Hop.

Rappers such as Nas, who is from Queens, New York, who lived in Queensbridge

Houses. He dropped out in the eighth grade, and instead channeled his natural born

talent into rap, writing music about growing up on the tough streets of New York City in

the '80s. Also, rapper Jay Z, born in Brooklyn, New York. Shawn Carter, well known as

Jay Z, grew up in the Bedford- Stuyvesant area in Marcy Projects. Jay Z is one of the

biggest hip hop icons alive. Furthermore, Jay Z has accomplished a lot in hip hop.

When it comes to hip hop no one has reach the level of him. Hes been good in this

music industry. No one else has helped stretch the boundaries for what the rap culture was,

is and will be. No one else got such an abnormally late start on the craft, only to help both

mold and question it throughout all his career. No one else has been this hugely successful

outside the music world. His music is considered some of the most groundbreaking in the

genre, he is a successful entrepreneur and investor. Moreover, Jay Z one of the most

financially successful stars in hip-hop.

Today most recent artist Beyonc, has brought awareness to racism that is

currently going on in the 2000s. Her recent song Formation created so much buzz in

the media but mainly in the black community. The message in Formation, related to

race, identity and black culture. The video is filled with some pretty powerful imagery,

including a sinking New Orleans police car, a young kid in a black hoodie dancing in

front of a lineup of cops, and a wall painted with the words Stop Shooting Us. This
represents the multiple shootings of Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown as well as other

young black men I have been killed by the police. In these situations, these two young

men were innocent and were killed for only one reason. Being black. What Beyonc did

was bring awareness to the black community and put it in music so that could be more

relatable and more understanding. Yes, it was unapologetically black in the video she

showed black American culture that rarely receive mainstream attention.

Beyonc also related the video back to the black community speaking about

being a black woman. It is already hard enough being black, but being a black woman is

an extra hurdle. The singer isnt going to apologize for either her blackness or her

womanhood; instead, she embraces every aspect of her identity. Black culture has

been becoming increasingly popular, and is often appropriated by the mainstream

culture that likes to pretend they discovered it. Beyonc is bringing awareness by

showing and telling that Black coach is very important that they came from black people

and we are supposed to embrace it in every way shape or form. In the video police

brutality was a main focus and is very relatable between now and back then during the

civil rights movement. This shows that history repeats itself. In the community of New

Orleans, large hurricane call Hurricane Katrina took over mainly all New Orleans.

Tragedy considering that New Orleans is populated a lot with African-Americans. In

2005, when Hurricane Katrina happened everyone was speaking about it but after a few

years the topic dissolved Alice is mostly populated with the black community and it

shows how we nation does not take the time to really care about us. As Marni

Semitone states the Black Power references were fully intentional, "It was important to

her to honor the beauty of strong black women and celebrate the unity that fuels their
power. One of the best examples of that is the image of the female Black Panther. The

women of the Black Panther Party created a sisterhood and worked right alongside their

men fighting police brutality and creating community social programmed.

Beyonc wanted to bring awareness to everyone around her. Beyonc is labeled

as a feminist and she wanted to mention that that as blacks we should stick together.

Beyonc and music alone has a very strong impact on the Black community. By people

watching the video many gained confidence. People get that confidence to stand up for

themselves and the people of color around them. Black people we are supposed to

stand amongst each other and with each other. Beyonc talking on these topics just

shows how important it is. Moreover, what Beyonc did was show how history repeats

itself a great deal. The video caused a lot of controversy. "I thought it was really

outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers" says Rudy Giuliani.

Police brutality has been ongoing discussion in the black me even before Beyonc need

a video about it. Video was not to attack police officers only to show that at times yes,

they can be very dangerous and harmful in multiple situations. It was not me to slander

police officers. Beyonc simply took such large topics that were publicized in the black

community and made a song about it. Beyonc and other artist showed bravery by

talking about such sensitive topics and bring awareness to it.

The African American community is filled with a lot of culture and creativity. In the

black community entertainment is very strong and important. It is a time for our people

to be creative and to show their talents. The evolution of rap and how was founded,

rappers growing up in close to poverty neighborhoods, the meaning of black music and
artist such James Brown and Beyonc influence in the black community. Also, speaking

about negro spirituals and how it affected and still affects the African American in the

entertainment part of the black community. The black community depends on black

artist because we live vicariously through them. Black artist and music and the way we

can let out our frustrations whether it has something to do with racism or a family

member. Black music and artist have a strong influence over a lot of genres the African-

American community has become even more stronger with entertainment especially

within music.

Works Cited

Rhodes, Henry A. "93.04.04: The Evolution of Rap Music in the United States."
93.04.04: The Evolution of Rap Music in the United States. Yale University, n.d. Web. 14
April 2017.

Lim, Clarissa-Jan. "10 Rappers Who Started From The Bottom And Are Now Wildly
Successful." A Plus. A Plus, 23 June 2015. Web. 14 April 2017.

Wamaer, Richard. "The Rise and Fall of the Harlem Renaissance." PBS. PBS, n.d.
Web. 20 April 2017.

"Negro Spirituals and Slave Songs - Titles Index Page." African American. N.p., n.d.
Web. 26 April 2016.

Blanchard, Becky. "The Social Significance of Rap & Hip Hop Culture." THE
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RAP & HIP-HOP CULTURE. Stanford University, n.d.
Web. 02 May 2017.