African American Music

Describing the African American influence on American music in all of its glory and variety is an intimidating—if not impossible—task. African American influences are so fundamental to American music that there would be no American music without them.

— Stephen Lewis in Musical Crossroads

Collections Sampler

  • electric guitar
    Chuck Berry's guitar nicknamed "Maybellene"
  • synthesizer
    Minimoog Voyager synthesizer used by J Dilla
  • Aretha: Mysterious Lady of Sorrows
    Aretha: Mysterious Lady of Sorrows
  • Pinback button stating "We Shall Overcome"
    Pinback button stating "We Shall Overcome"
  • Nina Simone
    Nina Simone at Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass., 1969
Explore More Collections Related to African American Music

Videos

File The Singing and Praying Bands of Maryland The Singing and Praying Bands of Maryland

Header image: Trumpet owned by Louis Armstrong.

This spotlight was created by Kate Duffus Stein on behalf of Smithsonian Music.