America dominates the world in many areas, but the one area of American domination that the world accepts the most is its music. American popular music forms; Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock, R&B, RAP, and Hip-Hop, are loved, and studied world wide.
When the British Invasion of the 1960's hit America, almost to a man each group or individual stated their love of American music as their primary influence. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Dave Clark 5, and many other British groups and individual performers, all claim American music as their source of inspiration. But the music they loved had its roots in the one true cultural melting pot of America, its music.
Rhythm and Blues (now called R and B) can trace its roots directly from Jazz, Ragtime, and the old black Gospel and Spritual standards. The narrative form and rich beat of these forms also form the basis for today's RAP and Hip-Hop. It is this music which form the basis of the rhythms of modern American Popular Music. From New Orleans Jazz, to the Motown Sound, to Urban Hip-Hop and Rap, black music forms the core of comtemporary music in America.
The media explosion of the 1950's and 1960's was fueled by Rock and Roll on Radio, Television, and the movies. The beat of Rock and Roll became the dominant force of American music, and the lines between the forms began to blend. Music forms are no longer segregated by race today as the forms have merged across the lines of culture in America. Today the effect of this mixing of music and culture can be seen everywhere in the culture.
Today America's Music does what it always has done, bring people together. In American Music every aspect of life, etnicity, and culture is merged, mixed, and highlighted. The rich diversity of American culture and life is reflected in its lively beat filled rhythms. American music is the story of the country, a reflection of a nation alive with change, filled with curiousity,and lead by hope and excitement. As it continues to grow and change, including more and more of all that America is, American Music continues to attract and entice the whole world, because it is truly the best of all that is America.
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