Proper Source
Consider the following: From the 1920s to the present day, can you tell me one song, genre or style of music that does not have African or African-American musicians at its roots? Believe me, this question is not clickbait, nor is it polemical or exaggerated. Perhaps people have forgotten why an entire month (June) has been set aside as a celebration of black music and African culture in America (unfortunately, I don't think this is the case on other continents). They have been so talented, so influential and so powerfully cool, that the decades will pass and even the influence of their creations will still be here....
Personally, it strikes a chord with me. I grew up as a brown girl (which in Europe and Asia, would be perceived as black), in a Caribbean country and with a lot of cultural and musical influence of this wonderful, beautiful and brilliant ethnic group of humanity. To give just one brief example: salsa, the prodigious and I don't know if so well studied daughter of Jazz, has been in my family and in my life for all my life. Curiously, it is associated with Latin culture, but it was born in the United States of America, in Harlem, New York City. And not to mention merengue, which in my country is almost like a ‘normality’ wherever you go, haha.
If that wasn't enough, my story is not so ‘strange’ or isolated. If you listen to rap, hip-hop, techno, rock and roll, blues, rhythm and blues, soul, reggaeton, reggae, two tones, ska, and I could go on (I'm not exaggerating...). I repeat, it's difficult when you look back in time and realise that many of the things that have separated the opinions and views between human beings, is something that to this day I can't understand even a little bit? Obviously, there are components such as racism or the prejudices of each era. But it is undeniable that none of these ‘buts’ have any basis.
Music owes a lot, really, too much, to everything that the cultural richness of African, African-American or African-European people has had on the different genres. Here are just a few examples of how big an influence it has had on your life, or mine: my mother, who was nobody in the 60's, and who grew up with prejudices about blackness, idolises James Brown, The Village People and Earth, Wind and Fire. Óscar D' León, performer, musician and exponent of the entire salsa genre in Latin America and worldwide, is Venezuelan, black and a regional and global icon.
No matter where you are in the world, I assure you that on Friday when you were at the disco, enjoying yourself with friends, your partner or your date, the music that set the mood for your night has something (not to say a lot) to do with black music. And read me well, this is not a demonisation of anything that is not black. I make this clear because, unfortunately, I know that in these times of cancellation and censorship, it would seem that highlighting something is synonymous with denying the other. When, clearly, that is not the case. I am a fan of three genres: pop, rock and techno, and of the three genres, three black icons are their greatest exponents.
If this post had been made in the 80's, what I just stated in the previous paragraph would also apply.... The same in the 90's and in all eras where contemporary music has existed. If it didn't happen before (in reference to the other centuries) it was clearly due to racial issues and bias from those causes. Have we learned what NOT to do, and what we DID do wrong? Well, I think we are on that road.... The mere fact that this kind of celebration exists and is recognised by all, as well as admired, is a characteristic of growth. All that remains is to recognise what needs to be recognised, and by God, enjoy it....
I will leave a brief compilation of relatively current black exponents of music, and I doubt very much that you won't like them..... In fact, I am convinced that you must love them. I only ask you to enjoy them, and to let yourself be carried away by their undeniable, indelible, untainted and impossible not to enjoy music. That's what our existence is about (in part), being able to pay tribute to the people, artists, performers and bands that made our lives infinitely better. Can you imagine a world where Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller’ would never have existed, or Gloria Gaynor's ‘I will survive’? Neither can I, and that is why I celebrate what I am celebrating.
Yeehaw! This blog post is like a lively country tune at a rodeo!
Well, enjoy love @cowboy.curator !! 💜
Ride on, partner! Your words spread warmth like a campfire under the stars. Keep shining your light on this here dusty trail!
Love those vibes, sweetie!! 😌😌
Saddle up, friend. Your positivity is like a campfire on a cold night—warm and inviting. Keep spreadin' those good vibes!
I didn't know there was a month dedicated to exalt black music, very interesting! I like all the selection that you have presented in this post 🤗
Thank youuu, @miriannalis !! Hope you enjoy the songs. A lot of music we like right now (and before this time) comes (came) from black music and its influence. 💜💜
This is indeed true -- well done!
Thanks youuu 💜 @deeanndmathews
You're welcome!
No need to thank!