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The traditional music of Africa is historically ancient, rich, and diverse, with the different regions and nations of Africa having distinct musical traditions. Traditional music in much of the continent is passed down orally (or aurally) and is not written. It also frequently relies heavily on percussion instruments of every variety, including xylophones, drums, and tone-producing instruments such as the mbira or thumb piano.
Slave songs are the songs that enslaved African men, women, and children would sing during work and recreation. Slave songs attempted to preserve the culture that they had brought with them from Africa. Spirituals (or Negro spirituals) are religious (generally Christian) songs that were also created by enslaved African people. Spirituals were derived from the combination of European hymns and African musical elements. Many slave songs and spirituals contained hidden messages. "Follow the Drinking Gourd" is a well known slave song but it is actually a secret map that lead many slaves to freedom!
Ragtime is a musical genre that enjoyed its peak popularity between 1895 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. Player pianos were a popular instrument during the Ragtime era. One of the most popular Ragtime composers was Scott Joplin. Joplin was one of the first Black composers to gain recognition in America! Two of his most famous compositions are "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag."
Jazz music was most popular during the early to mid 20th century. Jazz has a variey of styles but some of the most popular are Dixieland, swing, and bebop. Blues and Ragtime are considered the earliest forms of jazz music. Some of the most famous jazz musicians are Count Basie, Sir Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Blues is a kind of jazz that evolved from the music of African-Americans, especially work songs and spirituals, in the early twentieth century. Blues pieces often express worry or depression. The Blues originated from the “Deep South” or the Delta. One of the most famous Blues singers was Bessie Smith, also known as "The Empress of the Blues". At the time of her popularity, Smith was earning an average of $2,000 per week! During this time in American history, this was a significant amount of money for any woman regardless of her race!
The 1970's introduced the world to disco! Disco was a mixture of funk, pop, soul, and psychedelic elements.
The ending of WWII marked the introduction to a new era in America and also in Black music. Jazz was no longer popular among the younger generation and they were hungry for new sounds. In the 1950's, Popular music, also known as "pop" music began to take the stage. Along with it, came R&B, Soul, and the invention of Rock-n-Roll! The 60's also introduced digital or psychedelic instrumental sounds.
Throughout the century, we've seen many genres come and go, evolve, and become something new. But the most important thing is that we get to hear how the early culture of black music has influenced popular music of today!
Disco is dead! In the 1980's and 1990's, we were introduced to the new sounds of Pop music and Hip Pop! Hip Pop was an early influence of the genre we know today as Rap.