\ Founded on Jan. 12, 1959 in Detroit, Michigan, Motown assembled the soul and pop classics that changed America. Arriving at the height of the civil rights movement, Motown was a black-owned, black-centered business that gave white America something they just could not get enough of. Motown Records released dozens of number-one songs during the 1960s and early 1970s, making it for a time the largest U.S. business owned by an African American. The Motown sound also helped break down a musical wall that kept most African American artists from being played on radio stations that targeted white listeners. The driving force behind Motown was its founder, songwriter-turned-music producer Berry Gordy.
(Fontenot, Web Article) In this paper, I will discuss the origins and brief history of Motown music and how it got to be one of history’s most primitive music styles. Music echoes social changes and as such it bears the weight of the expression of the people. In the 1950s, in the fear of racial segregation, black communities were still fighting for their right to social freedom. The founding of Motown Records in Detroit in 1959 joined the passionate opposition of the civil rights movement to racial, social, economical and political discrimination and individual, police and mass violence against black people. By assembling an impressive roster of talented artists, Motown managed to break down the social and racial barriers and become the most important independent record label of the early 1960s in the history of pop music.
They are still successful today, minus their member Michael McCary, who left the group. Boyz II Men changed Motown/R&B music for the better. They started out as nothing and one small event changed their lives forever. They have received many awards and have been recognized by Billboard
Motown music became popular whiting black and white people, with this Motown decide to abandoned Detroit and relocate in the capital of Los Angeles. With the help of Martin Luther king Jr, Malcolm X and many other people that were fighting against racism many artists feel less pressure and more trusted in their abilities and had more freedom and popularity rating but this did not last. With the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, the African-Americans freedom bagging to struggle leaving a mark on America society. The musicians began to have some difficulties with their fans and their music popularity but they did not give up, many artists began to write song of protests, with deeper meaning like “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday. The recording studios begging experimenting with the sounds creating new ones.
Ray Charles was what you can say the Michael Jordan of music. You could move anyone that was listening to his music. He was like the co-founder of soul music. He caught the eye and ear if both the black and white culture. Everyone from all type of colors came to listen to him sing.
The 1972 film Super Fly was a huge head turner for the African American community. This is one of the first Blaxploitation films that were generally made for the African American audience; it is considered a subgenre from the category exploitation films. Super Fly is most certainly known for its own soundtrack, which were Curtis Mayfield composed songs. Mayfield performed his own song “Pusherman” during the movie that put a twist on it because that is not typically done. Super Fly is well known for its style and impact that it had on changing the views of others towards Priests lifestyle.
Certain procedures that Bob Dylan took that were weird and unusual. “He records and plays his music in a particular type of way that others may call weird or whacky.” Since around 1975 Dylan has only included ten or less songs on his albums. His Recorders and team would always try to talk Bob Dylan into having more songs on his albums; but without reasoning he would always refuse to exceed over ten songs. Dylan was never really into making close friends with his employees. He always just seemed interested and worried about getting into his music to make sure his music deals were set and his shows were all ready on the road to success.
Setup in a modest shop on a Detroit street in the late 1950’s, the launch of Berry Gordy’s Motown Records had a significant impact on popular music. In a time and place where civil rights was an undeniable issue, Gordy had the vision to use music to blur the lines between black people and white people, particularly in young America. Coming from an entrepreneurial family and working on the production lines of Detroit’s automotive factories, Berry Gordy had his sights set on making his fortune in the music industry. After some initial successes Berry used some money borrowed from his parents to buy a small studio to run the record label. Establishing itself as ‘Hitsville USA’, the number one records came at a remarkable pace and boasted a
Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin also were wonderful choices for this week. Not only because they are great singers but also because they are African American. Being African American and living with segregation in the 60s, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin both over came that and even appeared on television shows and made hit songs that are still popular today. My favorite artists in the 60s were the Beatles, The Byrds, and The Who. Even though I was somewhat acquainted with the Beatles before I grew to like them even more.
When he released his first hit, "I Can't Live Without My Radio," in 1985 when he was just 17 years old, LL came out to be a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy with spare beats and ballistic rhymes (Internet Source). But he soon quickly developed a smoother R&B style and began putting out what is known as lover's rap by putting out his hit single "I Need Love." LL dropped out of high school and recorded his debut album, Radio. When it was released in 1985, Radio was a major hit. From momentum of "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells," the album went platinum in 1986.