Definition

Noun: * African-American music: A broad category of music genres and styles that originated from or were fundamentally developed by African Americans in the United States. Its roots are in the musical traditions of enslaved Africans and their descendants, characterized by core elements such as complex rhythms, call-and-response patterns, blue notes, and improvisation. Early forms often featured a strong melodic line and a strong rhythmic beat with repeated choruses.

Usage

• The term is used to describe a diverse, historically significant body of work that has profoundly influenced global popular music.
• It is an academic and cultural category encompassing genres like blues, jazz, gospel, soul, R&B, funk, hip-hop, and more.
• It refers to music that expresses the experiences, history, and culture of African Americans.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum's exhibit traces the evolution of African-American music from spirituals to modern hip-hop.
  • Scholars study African-American music for its innovative use of rhythm and harmony.
  • The festival celebrates the rich legacy of African-American music.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in cultural, historical, and musicological studies to discuss the social and political context of the music's creation and development.
• It highlights the central role of African-American artists in shaping American music, often in the face of systemic barriers.

Variants and Related Words

• Black music: A sometimes synonymous term, though "African-American music" is more specific to the United States context.
• Soul music: A specific genre within African-American music that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Gospel music: A genre of African-American Christian music with roots in spirituals and blues.
• The Blues: A foundational genre of African-American music based on a specific chord progression and lyrical themes.

Synonyms

• Black American music (contextual)
• Music of the African diaspora (broader category)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• (To have) soul: This idiom, meaning to possess genuine emotion or authenticity, is directly derived from the expressiveness of African-American music, particularly soul music.
  • Her singing really has soul.

Noun

1. music created by African-American musicians; early forms were songs that had a melodic line and a strong rhythmic beat with repeated choruses