Music African-American culture

thelonious monk in 1947.



composer duke ellington, pictured receiving presidential medal of freedom richard nixon, held 1 of influential musical figures of 20th century.

african-american music rooted in typically polyrhythmic music of ethnic groups of africa, in western, sahelean, , sub-saharan regions. african oral traditions, nurtured in slavery, encouraged use of music pass on history, teach lessons, ease suffering, , relay messages. african pedigree of african-american music evident in common elements: call , response, syncopation, percussion, improvisation, swung notes, blue notes, use of falsetto, melisma, , complex multi-part harmony. during slavery, africans in america blended traditional european hymns african elements create spirituals.

many african americans sing lift every voice , sing in addition american national anthem, star-spangled banner , or in lieu of it. written james weldon johnson , john rosamond johnson in 1900 performed birthday of abraham lincoln, song was, , continues be, popular way african americans recall past struggles , express ethnic solidarity, faith, , hope future. song adopted negro national anthem naacp in 1919. many african-american children taught song @ school, church or families. lift ev ry voice , sing traditionally sung following, or instead of, star-spangled banner @ events hosted african-american churches, schools, , other organizations.

in 19th century, result of blackface minstrel show, african-american music entered mainstream american society. 20th century, several musical forms origins in african-american community had transformed american popular music. aided technological innovations of radio , phonograph records, ragtime, jazz, blues, , swing became popular overseas, , 1920s became known jazz age. 20th century saw creation of first african-american broadway shows, films such king vidor s hallelujah!, , operas such george gershwin s porgy , bess.

rock , roll, doo wop, soul, , r&b developed in mid-20th century. these genres became popular in white audiences , influences other genres such surf. during 1970s, dozens, urban african-american tradition of using rhyming slang put down 1 s enemies (or friends), , west indian tradition of toasting developed new form of music. in south bronx half speaking, half singing rhythmic street talk of rapping grew hugely successful cultural force known hip hop.

contemporary

hip hop become multicultural movement, however, still remained important many african americans. african-american cultural movement of 1960s , 1970s fueled growth of funk , later hip-hop forms such rap, hip house, new jack swing, , go-go. house music created in black communities in chicago in 1980s. african-american music has experienced far more widespread acceptance in american popular music in 21st century ever before. in addition continuing develop newer musical forms, modern artists have started rebirth of older genres in form of genres such neo soul , modern funk-inspired groups.

in contemporary art, black subject matter has been used raw material portray black experience , aesthetics. way blacks facial features once conveyed stereotypical in media , entertainment continues influence within art. dichotomies arise artworks such open casket dana schutz based on murder of emmett till remove painting , destroy way black pain conveyed. meanwhile, black artists such kerry james marshall portrays black body empowerment , black invisibility.