For more than 200 years, ever since the arrival of the first Blacks in English America, Black American popular music has been the mainstream that defined all other tributaries. During and after slavery, Black Americans clearly demonstrated their propensity for improvisation in the songs they sang and played. Thus was born, at the turn of the century , ragtime and the blues, from which jazz evolved. Rhythm & blues emerged during the 1940s, rock |n’ roll during the ‘50s, soul in the ’60s, and funk and disco music in the ’70s. In each case, White Americans were greatly influenced by the Black music of the day. Consequently, says Jack |the Rapper’ Gibson, a veteran of the industry. Black music was copied and expanded by While Americans, and While artists became rich and famous for their imitations. Among the more glaring examples were Elvis Presley, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. And some argue that the creative choreography of Motown artists set the standards for the entire industry. Historical creativity repeated itself in the 1980s, when Black again fashioned a new musical form, this time rap. In the midst of urban decay and hopelessness, this creative expression was born of frustration with social ills. Nevertheless, the aggressive, vehement urban street poetry took the country by storm in the mid-80s, permeating if not dominating – ratio, advertisements and movies. Before long, While suburban kids adopted the inner-city, hip-hop culture culture and music, and propelled rap into Top 40 prominence.

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