The common ground of the musical aesthetic shared throughout the African Diaspora is conceptual rather than technical or historical and it permeates all aspects and styles of music making. Some of the underlying features of this aesthetic that are found throughout the African Diaspora are that (1) music plays an important role in all aspects of social interaction and individual self-realization; (2) rhythm is the central organizing principle of the art; (3) music making is communal work; (4) improvisation is widespread and richly developed; and (5) music and dance are connected in such a way that bodily movement contributes to the overall rhythmic texture. Discuss the various ways African American musical styles have influenced musical developments in American cultures. Write a 3-4 page essay that addresses one of topics below.
1. What impact did the spread of Rhythm & Blues have on the development of other styles of popular music in the 1950s and 1960s?
2. How were changes in African American culture in the 1960s and 1970s reflected in the development of Soul and Funk styles?
3. How have R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Reggae styles influenced developments in popular music in Latin America and the Caribbean?