Black Music
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Black Music Styles
Mary J Blige
Rhythm & Blues Rhythm & Blues is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans. The R&B genre combines elements of soul music, funk, jazz and hip hop. The music sound combines smooth, lush style of vocal arrangements, blues and Gospel. Today electronic influences and hip hop or dance inspired beats are typical. R&B greats include R. Kelly, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass, Anita Baker, Mary J Blige and Usher.
Esperanza Spaulding
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a confluence of African and European music traditions. The sound of Jazz is varied and includes improvisation as one of its key elements. Depending upon the performer's interactions with fellow musicians, or even members of the audience, a jazz musician/performer may include melodies, harmonies mixed with instrumentation solos and vocals. Jazz greats include: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, George Benson and female bassist Esperanza Spaulding.
Yolanda Adams
Gospel
Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals with strong use of harmony, referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. Subgenres include contemporary gospel, urban contemporary gospel "black gospel", Southern gospel, and modern gospel music commonly known as contemporary Christian music. Several forms of gospel music utilize choirs, use piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar and, increasingly, electric guitar. In comparison with hymns, which are generally of a statelier measure, the gospel song is expected to have a refrain and often a more syncopated rhythm. Contemporary Gospel artist include The Clark Sisters, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary.
JayZ
Hip Hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated during the 1970s in New York City. Hip hop music first emerged with disc jockeys creating rhythmic beats by looping breaks (small portions of songs emphasizing a percussive pattern) on two turntables, more commonly referred to as sampling. This was later accompanied by "rap", a rhythmic style of chanting or poetry presented in 16 bar measures or time frames, and beatboxing, a vocal technique mainly used to imitate percussive elements of the music and various technical effects of hip hop DJ's. Top Hip Hop artist include; JayZ, Lil Wayne, Common, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj .
Muddy Waters
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. Popular Blues artist include: Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson Muddy Waters, B.B King, Koko Taylor and Etta James.
