African American Music

Welcome to the African American Music Research Guide! Much of the popular music of the United States has emerged from Black musical communities, including blues, jazz, rock, soul, and hip hop. Yet, Black musicians have also contributed to classical music, folksong, and religious idioms. Music has additionally played important parts in the Civil Rights Movement and political activism more broadly. Use this guide to discover resources about the many genres of African American music and the musicians who have contributed to them. Begin with General Resources, then explore pages dedicated to Spirituals and Folk Music, Classical Music, Blues, Jazz and Ragtime, Gospel, Rock and Pop, Soul and Funk, and Rap and Hip Hop. Finally, engage with Music of the Civil Rights Movement and gain a larger historical context through the African American Studies Guide. Know of a resource not included in this guide? Feel free to email the Music Librarian and they will add it. Or, suggest an item for purchase, if it is a resource not currently owned by University Libraries.