Although the beginnings of Negro Spirituals are traceback to religious music of African Americans during slavery, their influence can be followed up until present day. Words of endurance, faith, and community, concepts of emotional expression, musical style, vocal harmonies, and much more are many key elements that have crossed over into contemporary music that is enjoyed by audiences all over.
This influence appears in many genres, and some may seem like a reach, but could still have connection. Kendrick Lamar, one of my personal favorite artists, demonstrates this influence in the Rap genre. His song “Alright” is an anthem of resilience, a common theme in spirituals. The repeated lyric “We gon’ be alright,” is one of hope despite all individuals have been through. This ties directly into the resonant uplifting messages shown in spirituals amidst adversity. Another one of his songs “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” is a two part song which begins with the vulnerable storytelling that is often found in Negro Spirituals. It includes words of legacy, and memory, as well as conveying sorrows in a similar way. The song conveys emotional depth, vulnerabilities and insecurities and ultimately longing for something greater than oneself, yearning for something to get him through.
All in all, there are evident references to spirituals in music like Jazz, Gospel, R&B, and soul, but spirituals as a genre of music has, and will continue to indirectly impact other genres through messages, emotional evocation, and arrangements across the world. Even in ways that we may not realize until further analysis.
4 Responses
I really liked how you tied in the things we learned in class and attached it to a modern artist. I believe that Kendrick is inspired by all things black and that includes negro spirituals so I liked that you acknowledged this and brought light to something that is often overlooked in my opinion in his career.
Loved it. Add media.
I love this approach to the topic of Negro spirituals and how you connected to a modern artist! Both songs you featured in your posts I have listened to, so I liked how you connected these modern songs to early negro spirituals. This post changes my views on Kendrick’s songs and how it connects to early African American music.
I truly enjoyed how you thought to incorporate some of the modern day music and relate it to what we’re learning in class: specifically about negro spirituals. I personally wouldn’t have thought to make the connection between those two but it’s helpful to see that we can do the because although it’s certainly evolved, older styles of African American music has it’s roots even in modern day media with it either being sampled, referenced, or simply along the same themes like you wrote about.