The music of the 1980s was a defining moment in the evolution of popular music. The landscape was dominated by various genres, but it was a remarkable decade for black music in America. Black artists brought their unique flavor to the music scene with R&B, soul, hip-hop, and other popular genres. Despite the discrimination that these artists faced, black music became an essential part of the music landscape during this decade. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what music black people listened to in the 80s.
R&B and Soul Music
Rhythm & Blues (R&B) and Soul were among the most popular music genres for black people during the 80s. This type of music originated from black gospel music, which was sung in African American churches. Both genres gained worldwide popularity due to their catchy hooks and groovy rhythms.
The 80s saw the rise of many successful R&B and Soul artists. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Stevie Wonder were among the most prominent. Michael Jackson, in particular, was known for his outstanding dance moves and pop-inspired music videos. Whitney Houston became a diva and made her debut in 1985 with an eponymous album, which included the hit single “Saving All My Love for You.” Stevie Wonder, on the other hand, was known for his unique voice and fantastic piano skills.
Hip-Hop Music
Hip-hop also became a popular music genre in the 80s among the black community in America. The genre developed from African American and Latino youth in the Bronx, New York City. It is a music genre characterized by a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted or sung over beats.
Hip-Hop music found a home in the black community, and many artists used the genre to express their experiences. Hip-Hop pioneers like Run-DMC, Grandmaster Flash, and the Furious Five were the first to make a real impact. These artists used rap lyrics to express the poverty and struggles of black life in America.
Jazz Music
Jazz is one of the most pioneering music genres in the world of music. The genre has roots in African American culture and originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 19th century. Jazz is characterized by improvisation and a unique sound that has made it a popular genre worldwide.
The 80s saw a resurgence of Jazz as black artists began to incorporate other genres into their music. Miles Davis, a jazz legend, incorporated elements of funk and rock into his music, which made it more accessible to younger listeners. Herbie Hancock, on the other hand, produced several crossover hits, including “Rockit” and “Future Shock.”
Funk Music
Funk music was another popular genre among the black community in America during the 80s. The genre developed in the 60s and 70s, and it is a fusion of soul, rock, and R&B. Funk music is identified by its syncopated rhythms, heavy basslines, and a groovy sound that makes it difficult to sit still.
One of the most famous funk bands of the time was the Ohio Players. The group was known for their catchy tunes, funky rhythms, and provocative on-stage performances. Other prominent funk artists of the 80s include Parliament-Funkadelic, Kool and The Gang, and Prince.
Conclusion
The 80s was an extraordinary decade for black music in America. R&B, soul, jazz, funk, and hip-hop were more popular than ever, and black artists made significant contributions to the music industry. It was a time when black artists were not only recognized for their music but also for their message. Black music addressed social issues such as inequality, poverty, and racism, giving black people a voice through their music. It was a decade filled with timeless classics that continue to be popular to this day, reminding us of the significant impact black music has had on the music industry.
FAQ
What music did African Americans listen to?
African American music has had a profound impact on American music in general, with influential genres ranging from blues, jazz, gospel, soul, and R&B, to hip-hop and rap. From the slave spirituals of the 1800s to modern-day hip-hop, African American music reflects the complex history and experiences of the Black community in the United States.
In the 19th century, enslaved Africans brought with them the musical traditions of their home countries, providing roots for a distinctly African American music style. Out of these roots grew a variety of styles, each with its own unique contribution to American music.
The blues, a genre that has become synonymous with Black music, originated in the Mississippi Delta as a way for African Americans to express the struggles of daily life in a segregated society. Blues music is characterized by its simple chord patterns, expressive vocals, and lyrics that often reflect the hardships and injustices endured by African Americans.
Jazz music emerged in the early 20th century, with origins in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was initially rooted in ragtime and blues, but evolved to include improvisation, complex chord progressions, and diverse rhythms. Jazz musicians, many of them African American, have been celebrated as some of the greatest musicians of all time, with names such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis becoming household names.
Gospel music is a genre that has played a central role in African American religious and musical traditions. With its roots in African American spirituals and hymns, gospel music has evolved to incorporate elements of blues, jazz, and soul. Gospel music often features call-and-response vocals and is known for its exuberant and uplifting nature.
In the 1960s, soul music emerged as a genre that blended the emotional intensity of gospel music with the rhythms and instrumentation of R&B. Soul music was characterized by its smooth vocals, complex harmonies, and an emphasis on the emotional depth of lyrics. Soul enjoyed great popularity in the 1960s and 70s and has influenced many artists in the decades since.
Rhythm and Blues, or R&B, emerged as a genre in the 1940s, combining the genres of blues, jazz, and gospel music. R&B helped spread African American culture and popularize the idea of racial integration on the airwaves and in white society. Known for its driving rhythm and expressive vocals, R&B has been a key influence on modern popular music and continues to evolve, with contemporary artists such as Beyonce and Usher carrying on the traditions of the genre.
In more recent times, hip-hop and rap have emerged as dominant forces in popular culture, but with roots firmly planted in African American musical traditions. African Americans are at the forefront of these genres, and hip-hop in particular has become an outlet for marginalized voices to be heard, discussing topics such as police violence, poverty, and systemic racism.
African American music has made an immeasurable impact on music in the United States and around the world. With each genre bringing its own unique contribution to the musical landscape, it has influenced every aspect of American popular music, from jazz to R&B to hip-hop. The influence of African American music is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and cultural richness of the Black community.
What is 80s R&B called?
R&B or rhythm and blues developed in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. It was first popularized by African American musicians who blended the sounds of African American gospel music and blues along with elements of jazz. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, R&B continued to grow and evolve, incorporating elements of funk, soul and disco.
By the 1980s, R&B had developed into a more polished and refined sound, with a focus on electronic instruments and studio production techniques. The music of this decade is known as “80s R&B”.
However, by the mid-80s, R&B had evolved yet again, adopting a more contemporary sound which blended elements of pop, soul, funk, disco, hip hop, and electronic music. This new style of R&B became known as “contemporary R&B”.
80s R&B is still a beloved genre of music today, and has had a profound impact on modern music, with many contemporary R&B artists citing it as a major influence. Some of the most iconic and enduring R&B artists from the 80s include Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, and Prince.
80S R&B was a popular and influential genre of music which encompassed a wide variety of styles and sounds. Its legacy lives on in the contemporary R&B that we hear today, and it continues to be appreciated and enjoyed by music fans around the world.
Was R&B popular in the 80s?
The 1980s was a decade that witnessed the rise of R&B music in the mainstream. Although R&B music had been around for decades before the 80s, it gained more popularity and recognition in this era. This was largely due to the crossover of R&B music into the pop market. R&B music in the 80s was characterized by a blend of soulful vocals, catchy melodies, and infectious beats that made it popular with music lovers.
Several R&B musicians emerged in the 80s who became household names and contributed immensely to the growth of the genre. Among these were Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, and Lionel Richie, to name a few. These artists’ music was not only popular in the USA but also gained global recognition, attracting audiences from different parts of the world.
The emergence of music videos in the 80s further propelled the popularity of R&B music. Music videos became a crucial part of the music industry, helping to promote and visualize artists’ work. Artists such as Michael Jackson capitalized on the power of music videos and produced iconic videos that became staples on MTV. The popularity of these music videos translated into record sales, with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.
R&B music was undeniably popular in the 80s, thanks to a mix of smooth vocals, irresistible beats, and remarkable musicianship. This genre of music transcended race and social class, moving from its niche African-American audience to become a favorite of music lovers worldwide. The 80s put R&B music firmly on the map and set the stage for its continued growth into the 90s and beyond.
Who is the king of R&B in the 80s?
The 1980s was an era of immense shift and change, particularly for R&B music. With new styles, sounds, and attitudes emerging, it was an exciting time for the genre, and many iconic artists rose to prominence. However, one name that stands out above all others as the king of R&B in the ’80s is none other than Bobby Brown.
Brown rose to fame in the mid-1980s as a member of the group New Edition, but he quickly established himself as a solo artist. With his smooth vocals and electrifying dance moves, Brown infused R&B with a fresh energy and swagger that had not been seen before. He took R&B in a new direction, blending it with funk, hip-hop, and pop music to create a new, exciting sound.
One of the most significant contributions Brown made to the R&B landscape in the ’80s was his image. He was unapologetic in his style and attitude, wearing flashy outfits, sporting edgy hairstyles, and pushing boundaries with his lyrics. This boldness and confidence helped him stand out and cemented his status as a superstar.
But Brown’s influence on R&B went beyond just his image and sound. He was a trailblazer in the way he approached the industry and his music, paving the way for future generations of R&B artists. He was a trendsetter in music videos, often collaborating with high-profile directors to create visually stunning and memorable works of art.
In the end, it was Brown’s charisma, showmanship, and talent that made him the undisputed king of R&B in the ’80s. He not only created some of the most iconic and unforgettable music of the era but helped to shape the future of R&B as a genre. Even today, his legacy lives on, and his impact on music and pop culture is undeniable.
What was the first popular R&B song?
R&B, or rhythm and blues, is a genre of music that has its roots in the African American community. It originated in the 1940s as a term to describe music that combined elements of jazz, gospel, and blues. However, it was not until the late 1940s and early 1950s that the term R&B was widely used to describe a distinct style of music that was popularized by a number of African American musicians.
The first popular R&B song is a matter of some debate, as there were several artists who were pioneering the sound around the same time. However, many historians point to Louis Jordan, a bandleader and saxophonist, as one of the earliest practitioners of the genre. Jordan was known for his upbeat, danceable tunes that blended jazz and blues with a strong rhythm section. Many of his songs dealt with everyday life and relationships, and they often featured catchy lyrics and memorable hooks.
Jordan had a number of hits in the 1940s, including “Saturday Night Fish Fry,” “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” and “Caldonia,” which became some of the first R&B songs to cross over into the mainstream pop charts. Jordan’s influence on R&B can still be heard today, as many of his songs have been covered by other artists and continue to be played on oldies radio stations.
While Jordan was one of the most important figures in the early days of R&B, he was by no means the only one. Other artists like Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Ruth Brown were also developing their own unique styles of R&B around the same time, and their contributions helped to shape the genre into what it is today.
While it is difficult to identify the first popular R&B song with absolute certainty, many historians credit Louis Jordan with being one of the earliest practitioners of the genre and a pioneer of the sound that would come to define R&B. His blend of jazz, gospel, and blues, combined with catchy lyrics and memorable hooks, helped to set the stage for the explosion of R&B music that would come in the decades that followed.