When we think of music in the African American culture, we usually think of stories told through music. During the days of slavery, the slaves sang hymns of how they would escape the master’s plantation, and the grounds men never knew what was happening. Today, gospel, r&b, and hip-hop are the three genres of black music that have entered mainstream America today.

Gospel music was the first black music genre to come out of slavery. It started out as just church music, and has expanded into mainstream America. It started in Philadelphia with Thomas Dorsey who is considered the “Father of Gospel Music.” Some gospel artists that help start gospel’s transition into mainstream music were Mahaila Jackson, James Cleveland, the Ward Sisters, and Sam Cooke. Thanks to pioneers we now have artists such Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Bebe and Cece Winans, etc.  Today, gospel music is the type of music that makes you feel good while you are giving thanks to God. It has survived many generations by taking on the characteristics of the other genres of the time. Gospel music has been here since the beginning, and it is here to stay.

From gospel music, came the rhythm & blues or r&b. R&B music is considered blues music with a lot more energy. It was nicknamed “jump blues” because it is an energetic form of the blues. This form of the blues still told a story, but it was a lot more fun. This is a form of the blues that people can dance to. We begin to hear more vocals in this form of the blues. During the time of WWII, music of other races began to be distributed across the U.S., which helped R&B music reach the masses. Some of the greats of this music are Patti Labelle, Gerald Levert, the Isley Brothers, Luther Vandross, etc. It is because of these artists that we have artists such as Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Toni Braxton, BoyzIIMen, and many more.

The church and the Blues helped to create the form of music we know as hip-hop. It started out in the streets of New York City as a way for the urban youth to speak their minds. These young people who just wanted people to hear their problems had no idea the revolution they had begun. Hip-hop also brought in an art form called graffiti. Graffiti is when people drew different figures on walls in very unique styles. The fashion that came out of this movement include the baggy clothes, the gold chains, and fitted baseball caps. The music is performed by reciting a form of poetry to a beat. Hip-hop has had such an influence that we hear similar beats in R&B and gospel songs. Hip-hop has made a really big impact on the world, and it will continue to influence the music world.