The Influence of African Music Throughout American (Music) History
Beatrice Boateng
U.S. History B
04/06/2023
“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” This was said by Confucius, a Chinese philosopher and politician, about the physiological pleasures of men (humans). Music has been around for longer than anyone could possibly think of; no one “created” music, for it's been known to exist forever. It has been through so many diverse changes based on cultural influence, historical influence, religious influence, and much more. The United States is a country known to celebrate all kinds of music, spanning many different genres: pop, hip-hop, reggae, country, etc. Most of the US’s music did not
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Jazz, for example, has deep roots in African music and often features syncopated rhythms, improvisation, and call-and-response vocals, all of which can be traced back to African musical traditions. Similarly, funk music, which emerged in the 1970s, drew heavily on African rhythms and grooves. James Brown, often referred to as the "Godfather of Soul," was a key figure in popularizing funk music and incorporating African musical elements into his music. In recent decades, African music has also had a significant impact. Multiculturalism has played a significant role in shaping American music. From jazz and blues to hip-hop and rap, various cultural influences have contributed to the development of these genres. Multiculturalism has played a significant part in suiting American music. From jazz and blues to hipsterism dance and rap, colorful artistic influences have contributed to the evolution of these stripes. For example, jazz is heavily influenced by African, Caribbean, and Latin American music, while blues has fountainheads in African American musical traditions. Also, hipsterism dance, and rap surfaced from the African American and Latinx communities. In recent times, players from colorful artistic grounds have also gained mainstream success, showcasing the diversity of American music; examples include Colombian songster Shakira, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, and Korean pop group BTS. Altogether, multiculturalism has amended American music, creating special and distinct sounds that celebrate different traditions and