Funk Music Influence On African American Culture

As it is known that African Americans used literature, art, dressing, styles, behavior to express themselves, but the funk music remained a major form of escapism from everyday life for African Americans during that era. The funk music was seen as counterculture as soul and disco were more mainstream and played on popular radio. Funk music was banned to “black radio and local neighborhoods” being that this music did not only challenge the dominant ideology but also gave confidence and power to African Americans. Although critics argue that Funk music has faded away in today’s society, nevertheless, the emergence of hip-hop and rap music was influenced by funk music. Funk music was known as protest lyrics, but rap became a genre that evolved from funk music after the 1970’s (Morant, 2011, p. 80). The music during the civil rights movements eventually became popular and commercialized; several people became part of the civil rights movements and “it created a feeling of courage, closeness and belongingness with other members of the civil rights party” (Freeland, 2009). Listening and singing these songs served as a cultural activity for civil rights activists as raised people consciousness (Roy, 2010). The music made them one while
It was a major form of expression for African-Americans. Musicians like Sam Cooke, Aretha franklin. Prince, and Chuck Berry supported the black power movements while singing songs that were powerful and considered one of the most influential at that time. Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” which was released in 1964 was the center of the civil rights protest due to the fact that it was the civil rights anthem. The powerful song was featured in movies and documentaries about African-Americans during this era. The lyrics of this song conveyed a message about hope and change. Some of the lyrics of the song