Black Soul Music is Making a Comeback in 2013
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Black soul music is making a comeback in 2013, and we couldn’t be happier about it! This genre of music is so incredibly powerful and moving, and we can’t wait to see what new artists bring to the table this year.
Introduction
Black soul music is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz.
The term “black soul” was coined in the mid-1960s by record industry executive Barney Ales to describe the growing popularity of soul music among black teenagers. Ales was an early champion of the genre and helped to sign several key artists to Motown Records, including Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder.
The sound of black soul music was shaped by a number of factors, including the presence of strong gospel influences, the use of electric instruments, and the incorporation of R&B rhythms. The style is also characterized by emotive vocals, often delivered with intensity and passion.
Black soul music enjoyed a period of great popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, with artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green achieving crossover success. The genre has remained popular with African-American audiences through the present day, despite enduring some periods of declining popularity.
The Roots of Black Soul Music
Black soul music is a genre of music that encompasses a wide range of styles including gospel, R&B, funk, disco, and hip-hop. The term “black soul” is used to describe music that is influenced by the African-American experience. Black soul music has its roots in the religious music of the African-American church. This type of music was created to encourage slaves to sing about their faith and hope for a better life. As Christianity began to spread throughout the African-American community, this type of music evolved into gospel. Gospel music became very popular in the early 20th century and was a major influence on the development of black soul music.
The advent of radio in the 1920s and 1930s allowed black soul music to reach a wider audience. The popularity of black soul music continued to grow in the 1940s and 1950s with the rise of artists such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. Black soul music reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s with the emergence of funk and disco. Funk was a type of black soul music that emphasized danceability and featured a heavy groove. Disco was another type of black soul music that became very popular in nightclubs and on radio stations across the United States.
The 1980s saw the rise of hip-hop, which emerged from the Bronx borough of New York City. Hip-hop quickly became one of the most popular genres of black soul music. In the 1990s and 2000s, black soul music continued to evolve with the emergence of new genres such as neo-soul and alternative R&B.
The Resurgence of Black Soul Music
Black music has always been a source of pride and joy for the black community. It has also been a source of strength during difficult times. Black music has undergone many changes over the years, but it has always maintained its original purpose – to bring people together and inspire them to be their best selves.
2013 is shaping up to be a big year for black music. Several new black soul artists are making a splash on the music scene, and they are quickly gaining popularity with both black and white audiences. Some of these new artists are bringing back the classic sound of Motown, while others are creating their own unique style of black soul music.
Regardless of their individual sound, all of these artists are helping to revive interest in black soul music. This resurgence is welcome news for fans of this genre, who have been longing for new and exciting music to enjoy. With so many talented new artists emerging, 2013 is shaping up to be a great year for black soul music!
The Future of Black Soul Music
It has been said that black music is the thread that ties the African diaspora together. This was certainly true in 2013, as the sound of black soul music could be heard in clubs, cars and homes all around the world.
From catchy R&B tunes to heart-wrenching ballads, black soul music had a momentous year. Here are just a few of the artists and songs that helped make 2013 a great year for black music.
Arguably one of the biggest names in black music today, Beyoncé released her self-titled album in late 2013 to critical acclaim. The visual album featured a mix of R&B, pop and hip-hop tracks that showcased Beyoncé’s incredible vocal range and songwriting prowess. Highlights from the album include “Drunk in Love”, “XO” and “Flawless”.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar also had a big year, releasing his much-anticipated sophomore album good kid, m.A.A.d city to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and has been praised for its honest portrayal of life in Compton, California. Tracks like “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “Poetic Justice” have helped Kendrick Lamar cement his place as one of the best rappers working today.
Black soul music also made an impact on the silver screen in 2013. The film Fruitvale Station told the true story of Oscar Grant, a young man who was tragically killed by a police officer in 2009. The film featured an original score by musician Michael “Blu” Williams, which added an emotional layer to this powerful story.
2013 was certainly a big year for black music, and with exciting new projects on the horizon from artists like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Janelle Monáe, it looks like 2014 will be even better.
