Black Music in the 20th Century
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During slavery, one of the few forms of expression for African Americans was singing, whether spiritual songs or others. In the twentieth century, African American historical movements in music unfolded to encompass other forms of expression. Despite the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, the racial struggle continued throughout the twentieth century as African Americans continued to be underserved by social institutions. From Rhythm and Blues and the Motown Sound in the 1960s and beyond to Gangsta Rap in the 1980s, various musical movements played a role in expressing the African American voice and issues related to the racial struggle. Brian Ward (293) notes that "most civil rights workers appreciated the formidable power of black secular and sacred musics in the black community," but other forms of music also served as a form of expression and political tool for African Americans in the twentieth century. This analysis will discuss the Rhythm and Blues, Motown, and Gangsta Rap movements to show that African American music movements play a role of giving expression to what has been an historically marginalized and oppressed group in American society. A conclusion will address the contemporary race struggle and the role of music in it. Despite the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, African Americans have fought to promote greater equality among the races since that time. Despite the Civil Rights Act
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ere the Motown experience is concerned, not only did the economic success and self-sufficiency of Motown related to decades of advocacy for black economic development by individuals no less important to African American culture than Booker T. Washington, but it also helped forge a new era in race relations as numerous black artists became popular with mainstream music lovers. From Smokie Robinson and the Miracles to Diana Ross and the Supremes, Motown music dominated the airwaves during the 1960s and, in fact, the Motown Sound characterizes this period in American history and culture as much as any other icon or movement of the time. Responsible for helping make many African Americans economically independent and accepted by mainstream culture, Motown stemmed from Barry Gordy Sr.'s struggles and beliefs in the principles for African American upward mobility offered by Booker T. Washington. As Smith (65) writes, "To Pop Gordy, the Booker T Washington Grocery Store was both a business and a living testament to its namesake's philosophy that hard, and often menial, work were the stepping stones to financial success."
Gayle (123) notes that "music makes an image." Ultimately, Rhythm and Blues music became a part of the C
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Approximate Word count = 1802
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)
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