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As an expression of identity, among all other art forms, music is ubiquitously found in nearly all cultures. The more a community adheres to its origin and heritage, the more likely it is to cherish a profound musical tradition of its own. This holds for true Black communities across the globe. For African Americans, music has been a mode of self-expression from the very beginning. Their music is a means for preserving history and celebrating their past, present and future. While jazz and hip-hop are, more often than not, what one might recall when it comes to Black music, but the story of Black musical identity is far more significant. This article is all about the exploration of the inseverable connection between Black music and identity.
The Ancestral Root of Music
In the first one and a half centuries of slavery, West Central Africa traded nine out of ten African people as slaves. West Central Africa sent more slaves to the Americas than any other region. These enslaved people who were destined to go through a harsh ordeal, found their solace in music-one of the few things they were left with after they lost their freedom. It was a part of the communal activity apart from being a spiritual practice. To honor ancestors or to appease deities, music was integral for them.
Drums, stringed instruments, and vocal harmonies were indispensable to rituals and ceremonies. Enslaved Africans either carried African instruments with them or reconstructed them in the New World. Although slaves were often forbidden from owning a drum as they could use drums to communicate secretly and coordinate escape attempts. Nevertheless, under slavery, African American music retained many African elements. Historian and author W.E.B. Du Bois once wrote that the folk-songs were the rhythmic cry of the slave which they really were.
How Past Shapes the Future
As the elements of African traditions seeped into the existing American music, it brought in a new dimension to not only compositional style but also to the instruments. Take the banjo for instance, its roots can be traced to West African instruments. It was created by enslaved Africans and their descendants in the Caribbean and colonial North America which is closely related to the akonting, a three-stringed instrument.
The blues was the first music that African Americans created that was entirely their own, free from the direct influence of European musical forms. The quintessential scale for many American genres, the blues scale originates from Africa. It is not found in the classical Western tradition or other musical traditions around the world.
Similarly, the polyrhythms and call-and-response patterns characteristic of African music found their way into many modern genres as well.
The Reflection of Identity
Music may be the most important artistic form for invoking memories and longings that constitute personal and collective identity. American singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone famously remarked, "An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times." For Black artists, this translates to using music to find comfort in their identity or confront injustice.
Black music represents the struggles of the past, and also the ongoing fight for equality. With the changing times, it continued to reflect the shifts in social, political, and cultural paradigm. Doubting one's true self runs deep in the Black community. The reason becomes obvious upon a brief contemplation: Black people were taught for centuries that everything about them is "wrong." The idea that whiteness is “right and good” and blackness is considered “wrong and evil” has pushed Black people into a bottomless pit of self-hatred, specifically the younger ones.
During past decades, Black music has embraced new styles and technologies, staying true to its roots of course, to evolve. Genres like funk, soul, and electronic music have redefined the boundaries of Black musical expression, so much so that funk is considered "the DNA of Black music."
Beyond the Boundary
Many Black communities reside outside the United States, and in each of those, music was crucial in upholding their identity through blending traditional African rhythms with local influences. The genres that emerged from those regions show uncannily conspicuous reflection of their history, struggles, and resilience.
The reggae music of Jamaican artists like Bob Marley and Burning Spear promote the glory of African pride and unity, while in Trinidad and Tobago, calypso artists such as Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose were up to something unique. They incorporated witty and satirical lyrics to their music, addressing issues and celebrating Afro-Caribbean identity.
The style of music that played a key role in popularizing African music to the global audience was Afrobeat. Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti brought forth a mix of traditional Yoruba sounds with funk, and his music was nothing short of a frontal attack on colonialism and corruption. South African legends like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela crafted their own weapon against apartheid by blending mbaqanga and jazz to realize their dream of Pan-African unity.
Beyond the World of Music
Activist and scholar Angela Davis sheds light on the political dimensions of Black music in her book "Blues Legacies and Black Feminism." In her opinion women like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith were instrumental to challenge societal norms regarding rights and security of Black women and advocate for a space where Black women could openly express their desires and frustrations.
The steel-like nerve and unweaving spirit of Black artists fascinated poet Langston Hughes for whom Black music was a source of pride and inspiration. This alone solidifies the power and authenticity of Black identity, and it was possible through coming to terms with deep-seated connection with their own sound.
Final Words
The tapestry of life is interwoven with music. It is the one thing that has the power to touch everyone's spirit and transcend all barriers. Any attempt to oppress and discriminate against a group of people would be rendered futile by their music and the unshakable sense of the collective and individual identity.
Music has been a beacon of freedom, strength, creativity, and identity for African Americans. Be that enslaved Africans or the contemporary Black artists, the innate drive to break out from the shackles of prejudice and conquer the world is what bestows power to their music. For African Americans, music has always been a source of pride and testament to the enduring power of Black identity.
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