RACE IN MUSIC
The Great Migration occurred as many Blacks left the South in masses to avoid the intense hate, discrimination, and lynching that were taking place for generations. Until the 20th Century, Blacks were mostly rural folk, mostly because they had been slaves on plantations for God knows how long. A popular destination for recent “migrants” was the great city of Chicago, Illinois. It was here that Blacks had options: vote, find jobs and even attend public schooling.
Sounds like a great time right? Wrong. Northern Blacks were very much aware and weary of the “hick” Blacks coming into their cities. Not only was there hate from the White people, but there was Black on Black crime too as the Northern Blacks felt superior to their “cousins”.
Race records became prominent during this time. Music was recorded for a specific group of people, typically meaning that the music was marketed to Blacks. Integrated bands were not allowed to participate in race records, so if the band was integrated, it had to be kept a secret. Race records came from all over the spectrum, including, but not limited to white cover songs, pop and folk music, and even religious toons. Music was probably one of the only things not segregated, the world just was. This further solidifies that one cannot copyright chords as they are all borrowed and built upon each other. Music from one genre or culture can be translated to another. Music isn’t race specific. It wasn’t then and it isn’t now.