Celebrating African-American Folk Music

Every style of music today has roots. Ethnic music is too often overlooked as an important contributor to folk music. We cannot possibly discuss the origins of American folk music without giving credit to African-Americans. Without the African-American influence, American folk music would sound and feel entirely different today.


The Early African Influence

African-American folk music was borne out of the spirituals sung by slaves working the plantations. Their oppression and appalling work conditions created some of the most beautiful music ever created by an American spirit. During this era in American history, music made by slaves began as calls to one another in the fields. These early call and response