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African American Music Thesis

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Thesis Statement: The earlier forms of African American music - ragtime, blues, and gospel - have significantly impacted popular genres like hip hop, rock, and country music today, by influencing their rhythms, lyrics, and themes, and by carrying forward the legacy of African American musical expression. Outline: I. Introduction A. Background information on the historical significance of African American music in shaping popular genres B. Thesis statement II. Development of Early African American Music A. Ragtime B. Blues C. Gospel III. Impact of African American Music on Popular Genres A. Hip hop 1. Rhythms and beats 2. Lyrics and themes 3. Case study: Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" B. Rock 1. Blues roots and influences 2. Case …show more content…

From the early days of slavery and plantation life, African American people have used music as a form of resistance, community building, and creative expression, and their musical traditions have continued to evolve and impact the mainstream music scene across genres and generations. This essay explores the impact of earlier forms of African American music - ragtime, blues, and gospel - on popular genres like hip hop, rock, and country music, and how they shape contemporary musical …show more content…

Blues The blues is a genre of music that emerged from the Deep South in the late 19th century, and was characterized by its soulful vocals, expressive guitar playing, and melancholic lyrics. It was a genre that expressed the hardships and joys of African American life, and was often played in juke joints, churches, and street corners. The blues heavily influenced the development of rock music, and its legacy can be seen in the work of artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and John Lee Hooker. C. Gospel Gospel music is a form of Christian music that emerged from the African American church in the 1920s and 30s. It was characterized by its call-and-response style of singing, powerful vocal harmonies, and overtly religious lyrics. Gospel music was a means of expressing faith, hope, and social justice, and its influence can be seen in the work of artists like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Kirk Franklin. III. Impact of African American Music on Popular Genres A. Hip

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