Lift Every Voice

Lift Every Voice traces the roots of black music in Africa and slavery and its evolution in the United States from the end of slavery to the present day. The music's creators consumers and distributors are all part of the story. Musical genres such as spirituals ragtime the blues jazz gospel rhythm and blues rock soul and hip-hop—as well as black contributions to classical country and other American music forms—depict the continuities and innovations that mark both the music and the history of African Americans. A rich selection of documents helps to define the place of music within African American communities and the nation as a whole.