The Commodification of Black Music
For many years, African Americans have used music to express their identities, sentiments, and experiences. Rap, R&B, and other genres send a message about the trauma of black oppression, the anguish they experienced because of discrimination, and the love they had for one another.
Slavery was the beginning of African Americans. During the slavery African American music was played by instruments such as Djembre, banjo, drums, and the bones. Since slavery, African American music has developed. Many black artists were turned down by white folks in the late 1800’s. White people only compensated black musicians because they wanted to remake their music. Music by black artists was exploited by white people who profited from it. Scott Joplin, a ragtime musician, sold his sheet music to white people. White people performed minstrel shows with black faces it was a way of mocking and dehumanizing African American people. Performer Al Jolson was well known for performing with a black face for years.
Scott Joplin was born November 24, 1868 in Texas. He was known as a famous ragtime pianist, he was the “King of Ragtime”. During his career he wrote 100 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his popular pieces was the “Maple Leaf Rag”.
In the 1950s jazz and blues was the most popular genre. Many white producers didn’t want to listen to black music. but many artist were sign to many companies in record row such as Chess records and Vee-Jay records. Record Row was rhythm and blues Chicago style in wind city and soul. Many artist including Muddy Waters, Holland Wolf, Little Walter, etc were signed to Chess records. Vee-Jay signed artist and musical groups like the Beetles, Calvin Carter, The Staple singers, John Lee Hooker, etc. Several white artist would remake music from black artist and the money would go to the white artist instead of black artist. Music kept evolving over time black artist and white artist were allowed to perform together in the 1960s.
During the 1970s and 1980s black music changed and their style. The 70s was all about relationships, parties, and afro’s. Music including Funk, jazz fusion, soul music, and disco were popular during that era. James Brown was one famous funk artist he was the “Godfather of Soul” or “Mr. Dynamite. He was one of the first artist to enter into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the early 1970s his most popular records was “Get on Up” and “ I’m Black and I’m Proud”. Earth, Wind & Fire was also popular for funk music and disco music. One of my favorite disco songs by them is “September”. There were also some very popular female artist and groups during the disco era such as Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, and Sister Sledge.
Black music has developed much further in the twenty-first century. Black music has become mainstream and diverse. Rap and R&B were two popular genres at the time. Some well-known R&B performers were Chris Brown, Jay Z, and Beyonce etc. Some well-known rappers include Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, and others. Many musicians use their music to convey messages about police brutality, their own stories, or other forms of violence. Some musicians sample songs and use them into their songs in order to add more innovation to their work.
