Did you know the impact black artists have had on the creation of country music? Black artists have played a crucial role in shaping country music, from the early 1920s to the present, and artists like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé further amplified the genre.
Tetris Kelly:
There is nothing blacker than country music. Black artists have been changing the game in the genre for quite some time, even before Beyoncé decided to bring the story to the forefront. For Black Music Month, we take a look at the roots of country music.
The genre became popular in the 1920s and, as a whole, black people have written, performed and recorded country; the sound simply wouldn't exist without the innovation of black artists. Research shows that the Carter family, known as the first family of country music, was influenced in the 1920s by Black Blues and Gospel guitarist Lesley Riddle. Even Johnny Cash learned from black musician Gus Cannon, just as Nashville was becoming the capital of country music. Black harmonica player DeFord Bailey was the historic first performer on the Grand Ole Opry.
And now, black faces are a dominant force in the country. Lil Nas X and Beyonce have recently gained attention with Beyoncé's album. cowboy carter exploring all the sounds of black country music, including using the language of the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit, a network of venues where black musicians could perform safely between the 1930s and 1960s.
Watch the video above to learn more.
thanks to our partners at www.billboard.com
