Our network prides itself in faithfully delivering a multitude of diverse musical talents to our global listeners and this month will be no exception! Our modern music moguls could not properly function in this industry without recognizing the groundbreaking contributions that African Americans and Black Culture have made to our music libraries. As such, CyberFM is excited to announce that we are casting this month’s “Spotlight” on 60 years of Black Music History.
According to historical proof, there are many music genres that exist as a product of African American cultural influence. Among these genres are the most notable Ragtime, Jazz, Blues, Soul, Rock N’ Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop & Rap to name a few. Through the decades, these genres have served and continue to serve as a musical blueprint for past, present, and future musicians to build upon. Although all of today’s musical styles are predominantly American, they are primarily African American.
Dating as far back as the 18th Century, the enslaved Africans that were brought to America used singing as a vehicle for emotional expression, codified secret communication, and work pacing. Centuries later, their African style of songs provided roots for the tune, rhythm, and melody of American produced musical genres. For example, the signature “Call and Response” pattern of the Blues genre originates from the “Labor” category of song employed by enslaved Africans to set their pace of work. This same pattern is also a signature element of Jazz that evolved from Ragtime and Blues.
“Ragtime was a Fanfare for the 20th Century”- Russell Lynes
During the Civil War era, African American musicians played Classical European music until the end of the 19th Century when they tried something new by incorporating African Syncopation. The product of this experiment became the Ragtime genre and exploded in global popularity; inspiring famous European composers such as Claude Debussy and famous African American composer Scott Joplin. African style syncopated instrumental form also caught the attention of many band players in New Orleans resulting in the most coveted creation of Jazz. Multiple forms of Jazz exist today, from the 1920s big-band dance-oriented music to the experimental style of contemporary avant-garde Jazz.
“Soul is about authenticity. Soul is about finding the things in your life that are real and pure.” — John Legend
In post WWII America, R&B emerged as a new stylistically complex sensation among predominately Urban African American communities. As a calmer bluesy rhythm dominated genre with incorporated elements of Ragtime and Jazz, it grew in popularity and set a precursor to Soul Music. R&B carried the legacy of African American musical genius through the 1970’s and is credited with advocating to society the idea of racial integration. Today, modern artists such as John Legend, Rihanna, and Beyoncé carry on the legacy of soulful expression known as contemporary R&B.
Hip-hop, Rap, and Rock ’N’ Roll are three powerful genres that have launched an entirely new cultural phenomenon that is deeply attributed to African American culture. Much like Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rap, and Rock ’N’ Roll have swept through the music mainstream, captivating listeners with powerful messages about social and political issues as well as taking a front seat in the world of mass media development.
As we tune into this month’s “Spotlight” station, we will listen to the historical progression of music and the genres that exist due to the great influence of African American culture. From Louis Armstrong’s signature gravelly voice to Beyoncé’s powerhouse vocals, we will journey through six decades of musical history. Listen to world renowned African American musicians as their music takes us stomping through the streets of New Orleans in the 1940’s, then transcend the lines of racial division to rip apart the social red tape of the 1960’s. African American musicians have immortalized the sound of American history.
And let’s not forget, Spoken Word:
