African American Folk Music Artests You Need to Know

From the spirituals of the civil rights movement to the modern anthems of Kendrick Lamar, these African American folk music artists have made a profound impact on the world.

Introduction

African American folk music is a rich and vibrant tradition that has its roots in the songs, experiences, and traditions of African Americans. Over the centuries, African American folk music has been passed down from generation to generation, often through oral tradition. This type of music has been shaped by the experience of slavery, the Civil War, the Great Migration, and the Civil Rights Movement. It is a music that is both deeply personal and intimately connected to the collective experience of African Americans.

There are many different styles of African American folk music, including blues, gospel, jazz, and hip hop. Each style has its own unique history and sound. But all of these styles are united by their African American origins and their ability to express the joys, struggles, and triumphs of the African American experience.

Here are just a few of the many African American folk musicians who have helped to shape this rich tradition:

The Roots of African American Folk Music

African American folk music is the musical expressions of the African American experience. It encompasses a wide range of musical genres, from the work songs and spirituals of the early plantations to the blues of the rural South and the jazz of the urban North. African American folk music has its roots in the oral traditions of the African diaspora, which were brought to the Americas by slaves.

The African American experience

African American music is a broad term used to describe the musical traditions of Americans of African descent. It encompasses a wide range of styles, including blues, jazz, rock and roll, and rap.

African American music has its roots in the music of Africa and the Americas. African American folk music, also known as Afro-American or Black American folk music, is a musical tradition that includes work songs, spirituals, and Blues.

The first blacks in America were brought over as slaves from Africa in the early 1600s. Slaves were not allowed to bring their drums with them, so they had to improvised with whatever materials they had available. This led to the development of a unique style of percussive music called the “banjo beat.”

The banjo was originally an African instrument that was brought to America by slaves. It quickly became popular among white Americans as well. In the early 1800s, black and white musicians began playing together in an attempt to recreate the sounds of Africa. This led to the development of a new style of music called “jiggery-pokery.”

Jiggery-pokery was a blend of African and European musical traditions. It was characterized by fast tempos, rhythmic changes, and improvisation. Jiggery-pokery was popular among both black and white Americans. However, it was not until the late 1800s that this style of music began to be called “jazz.”

The influence of African music

The Origins of African American Folk Music

The roots of African American folk music are deep and diverse, stemming from the musical traditions of Africa, Europe, and the Americas. African American folk music was first brought to the United States by slaves who were forced to work on plantations in the southern states. These slaves had a variety of musical backgrounds and traditions, which they combined to create a new type of music.

African American folk music was later shaped by the music of white Americans, as well as by the meeting of cultures in the American South. The music was used as a Tool for communication among slaves, and it also served as a form of protest against slavery and racism. Over time, African American folk music evolved into many different styles, including blues, jazz, gospel, and rap.

African American Folk Music Artists

African American folk music artists have long been an important part of American music. In the early days of the American music industry, many African American artists were excluded from the mainstream. However, their music has always been an important part of American culture. Here are some African American folk music artists you should know.

Lead Belly

Lead Belly was an American folk and blues musician notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced. He is best known as “Lead Belly”, though many releases list him as “Leadbelly”. He is also credited with popularizing the song “Goodnight, Irene”, which was later a hit for Frank Sinatra.

Born Huddie William Ledbetter in Mooringsport, Louisiana, he began playing music as a young child and rose to prominence in the 1920s as a performer of blues and gospel music. In 1933 and 1934, Lead Belly served two terms at Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana for attempted murder and assault. While incarcerated, he learned to play the piano and developed his vocal style. He gained notoriety for singing a song about his conviction, “The Midnight Special”.

After his release from prison in 1934, Lead Belly settled in Shreveport, Louisiana. He continued to perform for various audiences throughout the country. In 1939, he recorded several songs for John Lomax’s book American Ballads and Folk Songs. These recordings marked the beginning of his relationship with Folkways Records, which would release numerous albums of his recordings over the next decade.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Lead Belly toured with Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger as part of the folk music revival movement in America. In 1948, he was convicted of another crime and returned to prison. He was pardoned by Governor James Edward Smith in 1960 after an appeal by Pete Seeger. Shortly thereafter, Lead Belly moved to New York City where he died of Lou Gehrig’s disease on December 6, 1949.

Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and musician who is frequently referred to as the “father of modern American folk music.” He wrote hundreds of political, worker’s rights, and children’s songs, along with Dozens of traditional folk songs. Some of his most famous songs include “This Land Is Your Land,” “Bound for Glory,” and “Pretty Boy Floyd.” Guthrie’s music was tremendously influential to subsequent generations of folk musicians, including Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Bragg.

Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who is often cited as the “father of modern Chicago blues”, and an important figure on the post-war blues scene. His style of playing has been described as “a return to the land… a return to the Delta.” He was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and raised on Stovall’s Plantation near Clarksdale, Mississippi. Waters married his first wife in 1935 and moved with her to Clarksdale. By the early 1940s he was playing guitar for local parties and dances. He recorded his first tracks for Columbia Records in 1941, but they were not released until years later. In 1943 he and members of his band were hired by Les Hite to play at a club in Helena, Arkansas.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a long and rich history of African American folk music. This genre has produced some of the most influential and important artists of our time. If you’re a fan of folk music, be sure to check out the work of these artists. You won’t be disappointed!