Today's Musical Genres
Slave songs influenced many musical genres of the late 19th century and 20th century. Many slaves resided in West and Sub-Saharan Africa before being brought to North America to work as slaves. They not only brought their bodies to work, but also their musical culture. Slave songs provided the roots for many types of contemporary musical genres.
“Each type adapted elements of African and European musical traditions and shaped the development of a wide range of music, including gospel, jazz, and blues” (“Music in Slave Life”).
African Americans also influence many other musical genres including the following: Spiritual, Bluegrass, Motown, R&B, Call and Response, Soul, and Protest songs (“Music in Slave Life”). The cries of African American slaves had an everlasting significance on the music that followed their devastating time period.
“Each type adapted elements of African and European musical traditions and shaped the development of a wide range of music, including gospel, jazz, and blues” (“Music in Slave Life”).
African Americans also influence many other musical genres including the following: Spiritual, Bluegrass, Motown, R&B, Call and Response, Soul, and Protest songs (“Music in Slave Life”). The cries of African American slaves had an everlasting significance on the music that followed their devastating time period.