Black folk music: An important history
Black folk music is something that originated among slaves, who used this music as a way of communication through a shared culture. As Africans now in America, the emergence to being ‘African American’ came with. Folk music has played a strong role in acting as a catalyst to other important music genres for African Americans, such as Jazz and Blues. African sounds and rhythms allowed for identity and culture to remain, despite the threat of European ideals being placed upon those who rejected it. Music, historically, is something that unified African Americans to stand out and form a sense of expression and unity. Folk music is something that has been passed down by generation as a form of oral tradition.
The banjo
Influential artists who have reclaimed the genre
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Ebony Hillbillies: With an origin in NYC, the Ebony Hillibilies have paved a way for themselves through the genre of folk. Their propularity came from their street presence, where they started out with their local performances. The vision began with violoinist and vocalist Henrique Prince. And soon, the rest of the member began to expand the group: Norris Washington Bennett, Gloria Thomas Gassaway, William “Salty Bill” Salter, Iris Olden Blackwood & Allanah Salter, Newman Taylor Baker, and Reggie “A.R. (Ali Rahman)” Ferguson.
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Kaia Kater: As an acclaimed artist originally from Montreal Canada, Kaia Karter uses her very diverse background as a way to show the talents of her music. She uses her banjo and songwriting to tell her stories through her music, which has gotten her onto platforms such as Tiny Desk and Rolling Stone. She has recieved a Canadian Screen award for her participation in writing original music for “The Porter.”
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Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton: Originally from Los Angeles, California, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton has talents with both instruments and his vocal abilities. His talrnt is seen as even more remarkable because of his diagnosis of being legally blind since the age of 16, although he does have some sight that helps him with his day to day living. He’s gone on tours and produced music, having success amongst a community of people who admire his work.
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The Carolina Chocolate Drops: The Carolina Chocolate Drops, originated in North Carolina, found lots of their inspiration through 86 year old Joe Thompson. Thr group has been around since 2006, with members om Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Justin Robinson. Their success has been very important in folk music, as they won the last ever Folk Grammy in 2010 for the project enuine Negro Jig. As time went on, the group eventually faced some departures and replacements until eventually breaking apart completely.
