Michael Jackson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hello everyone, it’s your friendly blogger Maddy with another history lesson. I know you’re all looking forward to this one, so I’m not going to talk anymore and just begin the lesson.
Beginning in the 18th century, folk spirituals were sung among the slaves as they worked. It wasn’t until the 19th century when African-American music invaded mainstream America, particularly with the introduction of the banjo. Even during the Civil War, African-American music continue to be popular. Barbershop quartets were founded in the years following the Civil War, with emphasis on the four-part harmony singing. By the time the 19th century ended, African-American music was part of the American culture.
By the time the 20th century came along, African-Americans were already writing musicals that were performed on Broadway. Also some new musical genres were born, such as blues, jazz, and even ragtime.
During that time black music was in very high demand, with black performers being hired to perform for white audiences. Scores of music schools for black students opened all over the country. Also various musicals starring African American singers made their debut during this time.
From the 1940’s to the 1960’s, African-American music continue to rise in popularity, due to various covers versions of popular songs. In the 1950s, rock and roll was invented, which brought even more notice to African-American music. Also, the famous label Motown Records was founded, which featured many famous African-American singers, such as The Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations, The Supremes, and many others.
In the 1970s, disco music was created, and a band known as the Jackson 5 burst onto the scene. many other famous musicians who sang disco music such as Isaac Hayes, Barry White, Donna Summer and among others found mainstream success. Also during that time, hip-hop was being invented, with heavy emphasis on rap. Rap music would later continue to gain popularity during the 1980s and 1990s.
Of course, during the 1980s, a young musician by the name of Michael Jackson brought the world together through his albums “Off the Wall”, “Thriller”, and “Bad”, with “Thriller” continuing to be the #1 best selling album of all time. He was responsible for a revolution that introduced the world to various artists such as Prince, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson, all who were known as dance and pop soul artists.
Rap and hip-hop also continue to expand, with various genres known as Techno, Dance, Miami bass, Chicago house, Los Angeles hardcore and Washington, D.C. Go-go. In the year 1986, rap music quickly only took off, and it continues to be popular to this very day.
During the 1990s, hip-hop left the United States and traveled around the world. Of course the East Coast / West Coast hip-hop rivalry led to the deaths of two talented musicians known as 2Pac and the Notorious BIG. Contemporary R&B also took off during this time and remained popular all throughout the 90s.
Now that we come to today, music has changed from the days before the 19th century ended. R&B shifted towards the solo artists as opposed to group performances. A new form of music, urban music, has come out during this time and is known to be race-neutral.
At the time of Michael Jackson’s much upsetting death in the year 2009, the world mourned as it had never mourn before, mainly because his music brought the world together. His final project, a concert film titled ”
This is It”, became the highest grossing concert film in history, proving once again who the greatest musician in the world is.
Thank you for listening to this very long broadcast, I mean, blog post. I hope that you have really enjoyed this post and have a greater appreciation for the music that you listen to. You better look forward to my next blog post or I will get you!
Now you know.
The Jacquel Rassenworth Blog 
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