Black History Month is here! Falling in February each year, Black History Month is a great opportunity to highlight and reflect on the contributions of black people to society. It is a time to celebrate accomplishments, whilst also recognising struggles and prejudice that Black people face in the ongoing fight for equality.
Widely recognised are the significant contributions that Black Americans have made to the music world. With messages of self expression, resistance and cultural preservation, for decades and more, music has been an essential part of Black culture.
From spirituals and gospel, to blues and jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. African music played a vital role in the development of Black American music, as enslaved Africans brought their musical traditions with them to the New World. These traditions were merged with European music to create new forms of music that reflected the experiences of Black Americans.
The mid-20th century brought the rise of R&B and soul music, and these genres in time helped shape the sound of popular music in the United States. R&B and soul often dealt with themes of love, heartbreak, and social justice, and many Black musicians used their platform to address issues of inequality and discrimination.
In the 1980s and 1990s, hip-hop emerged as a new form of Black American music, and it quickly became one of the most popular genres in the world. Hip-hop was a means of expression for young Black Americans who felt marginalized by society, and it provided a way to speak out about social and political issues.
Over the years there have been many influential black artists across all genres who have contributed to the history of music. Becoming household names while spreading a message of inclusivity and equal rights. Take a look at the infographic here for 14 black music records that changed the landscape of music forever.
(Infographic)
