Throughout the past centuries, black influence has been an essential force, shaping and enriching culture within our society today. Through forms of music and literature, African Americans have contributed enormously and impacted these topics.
In music, we see direct influence in jazz. Jazz originated in African American communities in New Orleans, Louisiana during the late 19th and early 20th century. The years of the 1920s quickly brought jazz tremendous fame. Through doing so, in the modern day, we are able to see those who were influenced by jazz. Likewise, musical artists that were on the come up years after the jazz era continued to be influenced by other forms of music created by African Americans. A commonly known artist influenced tremendously by black culture and music is Elvis Presley. Presley was moved by soul music and was heavily into the dances and rhythms that came along with it. Continually, in our time today, we continue to see that there are more artists everyday that are influenced by African Americans.
Furthermore, there are several literary influences brought about in modern day by African Americans. Like the jazz era, literature blossomed during the 1920s. Without the flourishing of the Harlem Renaissance, phenomenal authors such as Langston Hughes would not be recognized today. Several schools around the country study the work of Hughes and admire his writing greatly. Additionally, several writers are influenced by the work of Hughes, and for black authors today, they are influenced to write spectacular pieces like Hughes once did.
Today, we see the uprising of several black creators, authors, musicians, athletes and much more. If we do not acknowledge the influence that they bring onto others, then perhaps we are blind to see the amount of culture and greatness African Americans have brought into our country. Through music and literature primarily, we can see there was great influence by African Americans throughout the years.