Finalist — THE COLLECTOR’S SEPTEMBER WRITING CHALLENGE
History and Development of African American Music
Slave era field hollers to spirituals to blues, jazz, and hip-hop
African-American influence on American music goes back in time when early non-indigenous migrants were settling to form what is now known as the United States. The African slaves that were brought to America carried with them their knowledge and experience of West African music, which also became a foundation of the present-day American music culture. Tribal musical instruments like drums, and banjo, and tribal song styles like “shout” and “echo” were introduced (Robinson, 2015). The African American songs ranged from slave era field hollers to spirituals to blues, jazz, and hip-hop.
Classical And Spiritual Music
The enslaved African Americans sang songs and created music, both while working and worshipping. Numerous forms of spiritual songs came into being during the secret meetings of the slaves (The Library of Congress, n.d.), that were sung in a call and response form. Accompanied by a leader, the…
