New Minglewood Blues: Happy African American Music Appreciation Month!

"The music of our nation has always spoken to the condition of our people and reflected the diversity of our union. African American musicians, composers, singers and songwriters have made enormous contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our shared values." -Barack Obama

Ray Charles

In 1979, Jimmy Carter dubbed June the month of black music. Over the past 28 years, American presidents have followed this sentiment, including Barack Obama, who changed the name to African American Music Appreciation Month.

African American musicians didn’t gain prominence until the end of the 19^th century with their blackface minstrelsies and bluesy tunes. After all, it was the enslaved melodies working in the southern plantations that truly gave birth to the rhythm and blues.

The 20^th century saw a rise in jazz, ragtime and other traditionally black genres. Or, as they called it in the roaring decade, “race music.” But despite the name’s negative connotation, the music was different and most the world accepted it. Soon performers such as Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong became wildly successful and the Billboard was forced to create a separate list of hit records for the new, emerging genres.

In the 1940s and 1950s, African Americans started to evolve outside their origins, creating a new version of rhythm and blues known today as Rock and Roll. Although many blacks didn’t start out with the fame they deserved, they wrote the song for chart-poppers such as Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. Soon after, however, artists such as Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley emerged. Chuck Berry happens to be one of my 1950s favorites.

African American music became more eclectic mid-20^th century. Gospel singers such as Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke emerged; Motown formed with stars including Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Supremes; divas like Aretha Franklin started popping hits; and even Jimi Hendrix successfully and amazingly epitomized the essential soul of rock and roll. The world for black musicians had revolutionized.

The 1970s and 1980s saw an increase in African American success as well, with artists such as Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer and Michael Jackson. But suddenly, a change. The music scene started to shift in the late 70s, early 80s. Hip Hop commenced in full force, with artists such as Run DMC and Public Enemy representing the scene. Hip hop then metamorphosed to gangsta rap in the 1990s with Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Wu Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg and N.W.A.

Today, there is a diverse mix of African American music, there is no one popular genre. Sure, many enjoy work by rap artists Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West and Jay-Z, but there are other genres in existence. A friend recently introduced me to Gary Clark Jr. He is playing this summer, I highly recommend him if you love the guitar.

Here are some other notables I wish to honor in light of the start of June. Happy African American Music Appreciation Month, America!