The Origin of Negro Spirituals: Slavery to Calvary
The origins of Negro Spirituals began in the 1860’s after the spread of Christianity across the plantation. As slaves, many Africans were forced to adopt the Christian religion which acted as one step closer to them assimilating to Western culture and forgetting the remnants of their native home. One of the times that slaves were allowed to gather together was when they went to church, this was a time for them to be fully expressive in their “faith.” Additionally, not only did Negro Spirituals serve as songs to uplift and give slaves hope, but they as served as encrypted messages that lead slaves to freedom. One of the most notable encrypted songs that the slaves composed and sang was Wade in the Water. It is alleged that Harriet Tubman use to sing this song when leading many slaves to freedom because in the song, it tells slaves to make sure to travel through the water so the dogs won’t smell them when masters were searching for the runaway slaves.
Linked above is a clip of Spelman College’s Glee Club singing Wade in the Water arranged by Kevin Johnson.
One type of Negro Spiritual that is often arranged and performed now is called concert spirituals. Concert spirituals differ from the earlier negro spirituals because they tend to have a larger choir, accompanied with instruments and different arrangements. Popular concert spiritual choirs are the Moses Hogan Chorale, The Master’s College Chorale and of course the Spelman College Glee Club.
Negro Spirituals continue to be a foundation of music in the African American community. Other genres like Jubliee Quartets, Gospel and Blues have made their own arrangements of Negro Spirituals. The messages of the slaves have transcended into something that will be continued to be arranged for years to come.
Fabolous
Soul Tapes: An Artist Post on Fabolous Rapper Fabolous, born John David Jackson was born November 17, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York. Fabolous describes his
Walk This Way: A Hip-Hop Post
Walk This Way: An Ode Hip-Hop Hip-Hop was born in the late 1970’s in the Bronx, New York. The underground scene developed in this city
Musical Theater
Musical Theater Musical Theater began in the African-American community until the late 1890’s. Before this many images of black people in musical theater and plays
D-Town and Techno
D-Town and Techno Techno originated in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1980’s. This sound is different from other sounds use previously because of its’ use of
Let’s Groove Tonight: A Post on Disco
Let’s Groove Tonight: A Disco Post Disco first began in the 1970’s after the genre of Funk was originated. Due to social clubs and dancing
Funkadelic
Funkadelic Funk music originated in the 1960’s as the beginnings of the R&B era began to fade. Funk Music is known to be a combination
