Key Terms
Definition
Rap = poetry recited rhythmically over musical accompaniment.
Origin
Brought to America by British, Scottish, and Scotch-Irish immigrants; settled in mountainous regions of the American Sou
Legacy
Gospel's sound influenced secular styles — early rock and roll, soul music, gospel rap. During the Civil Rights era, spi
Earliest form
African-style ring shouts
Key Composers/Artists
Thomas Dorsey, Reverend William Herbert Brewster (songwriters); Mahalia Jackson, Dixie Hummingbirds, Ward Singers (perfo
Text
New Testament focused; redeeming power of Jesus; personal relationship with the Savior
Roots
Earlier black spirituals, work songs, field hollers, dance music.
Function
Addressed social experiences of ex-slaves in post- Reconstruction southern culture.
Common Themes
Love conflicts, loneliness, hardship, poverty, travel — AND celebration, ironic wit, resolve. Not exclusively sorrowful.
Early Performers
Solo male singers; examples include Charlie Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake, Son House. Instruments used: Aco
Origins
Convergence of African American rhythm and blues AND Anglo American honky-tonk country music; mid-1950s.
Contributing styles
Blues, spirituals, gospel, ballads, hillbilly music, early jazz.
Honky-tonk (pre-rock)
Voice of downcast working-class southern whites; Hank Williams most famous. Tense nasal vocals, twangy guitars and fiddl
Hip-hop culture emerged
Mid-1970s, the Bronx.
Three major elements of hip-hop culture
1. Rap 2.