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Not only are the sounds reflective of those of the 1950's, but so does the artist presentation. Modern Hip-Hop artists often employs the same aesthetics of rock-n-rollers of the 50's, with lots of Rock N Roll inspired clothing. However, there are always those the Black community consider "outliers". These artists often present a level of queerness that is considered "too odd" for their time, and are ostracized or marginalized in entertainment by their community. An example of this is Little Richard.

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The genre of Rock N Roll can be traced back as far as the 1920's in Black music. However, its popularity emerged in the early 1950's as a fusion of several musical styles, including Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, and Country. Artists such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and several other African American musicians were among the first to transform the sound of Rhythm and Blues by introducing new musical elements. The new sound was characterized by its "aggressive beat[s] and prominent electric guitars, saxophone solos, and pumping pianos." (Maultsby, 2021) This music also featured provocative lyrics that celebrated youthful rebellion and independence, romantic love, sexual freedom, and quickly became the most popular genre among young people around the world.

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Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven (1956)

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Little Richard is a Black queer musician and was one of the first to bring the boisterous sounds of Rock N Roll to the mainstream. Little Richard's unique style and flamboyant personality serves as a source of inspiration for many in the community, and his influence continues to be felt in culture today.

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1972: LITTLE RICHARD interview is the GOAT  | Late Night Line-Up | Classic BBC music | BBC Archive

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Lil Uzi Vert BillBoard Music Award's carpet interview gif. "You know what it is, ain't nobody felt these fabrics before!"

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Artists such as Lil Uzi Vert are reminders of Little Richard's legacy. Both artists' unique sound, daring fashion choices, and expression of sexual/gender identities symbolize the power of self-expression and individuality. Both individuals willingness to be different and go against the grain is something that many would not dare to do in the Black community.

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Picture of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her guitar.

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Trailblazing seems to be the underlining theme of Rock N Roll, as its existence would not be if it wasn't for Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an influential African American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who played the ultimate role in the development of early Rock N Roll. Tharpe began her musical career as a gospel singer, performing in churches and traveling with her mother as part of a traveling evangelical troupe. Her transition to secular music was anything but conventional as she "broken many spoken and unspoken taboos with her aggressive electric guitar playing, flamboyant manner, and mixing of sacred and secular music." (Wald, 2007)

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Tharpe's innovative sound, which blended Gospel music with Blues, Swing, and early Rock N Roll, influenced generations of musicians to come. She was known for her powerful vocals and virtuosic guitar playing, which helped establish the guitar as a central instrument in Rock music. Throughout her career, Tharpe faced discrimination and opposition due to her gender, race, and unconventional musical style. Nevertheless, she continued on to becoming a major influence on artists such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley. Sister Rosetta Tharpe's posthumously induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was decades delayed as in 2018 she was finally recognized for her enduring impact on the genre and her role as a trailblazer for African American women in music.

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Rico Nasty smiling revealing diamond grill.

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Rico Nasty, following in Tharpe’s footsteps, is a rising star in the world of hip hop who has garnered attention for her unapologetic attitude and eclectic style. She blends elements from multiple genres of Rock N Roll, Rap, Punk, and Metal into her music, creating a sound that is both unique and refreshing compared to her peers (women). Rico Nasty has been praised for her ability to break down gender norms in Hip Hop, and for her empowering messages of self-confidence and individuality. While Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Rico Nasty come from different musical era, they share a similar spirit of rebellion and innovation that has made them both trailblazers in their own right. Both women have refused to be confined by the expectations of their respective genres, instead carving out their own paths and paving the way for the future misfits.

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In this song, Messy by Rico Nasty with fellow Black alternative artist Teezo Touchdown and Bktherula, the Rock N Roll influence is felt. The strong drumline beat is consistent with its origins; however, it is sped up in a way that gives this song more of a Hip Hop feel. The instrument choices are slightly different, but the same Rock N Roll elements are present. The combination of Rap and Rock N Roll influences makes this song unique and interesting. It is a perfect blend of the two genres, creating an enjoyable track that is not too thought provoking. The production of the track is also strong, with the signature use of electric guitars and synthesizers. The combination of these two elements creates a sense of energy and excitement. The track also features some great vocal performances, with strong and powerful voices that carry over the strong instrumentation. Each component comes together to create a memorable and powerful song that will get listeners hype and is reminiscent of Sister Rosetta Tharpe legacy.

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Rico Nasty - Messy (feat. Teezo Touchdown & Bktherula) [Official Audio]

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In this piece you can hear the traditional Rock N Roll sound and its Jazz origins due to the use of percussion, electric, and horn instruments. The bass line, created by the drums and bass guitar, is very prominent and provides a strong groove for the entire piece. The song also builds to a strong climax with the addition of a full horn solo. The different instruments come together to form a cohesive sound and all the elements come together to create a vibrant, energetic, and memorable piece of music. This adds to the message of the song, where King Richard states his rightful claim as "the King of Rock 'N Roll." The song is successful in conveying a strong message of confidence and self-belief. The combination of the catchy chorus and the strong groove bass line makes the song instantly recognizable and a timeless classic. The queer expression is felt as King Richard boldly calls out his peers and assume his position.

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Lil Yatchy pictured performing in front of a crowd.

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One major legacy of Rock N Roll’s influence can be heard and seen in the current Hip Hop, Alternative/Punk music nexus. Many classified Hip Hop artists of today blend elements of Rock N Roll with Rap, and Punk to create this new unique sound. The modern sound, which has become immensely popular in the past few years, often has a heavy, distorted guitar sound and driving rhythms; reminiscent of Rock N Roll, while still delivering the Hip Hop lyrical content and flow. Another prominent way is through the use of samples and references to classic Rock N Roll songs and artists. Many artists creating music in this space have sampled iconic rock riffs (click on link) and beats in their songs, creating a fusion of classic Rock N Roll and contemporary Hip Hop or Punk. Additionally, the rebellious and anti-establishment ethos of early Rock N Roll has carried over to the Alt-Hip Hop Punk wave as well. Many share the similar rebellious spirit, challenging societal norms and advocating for social justice through their music.

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“GLOCK IN MY PURSE” serves place as the 8th track on Philadelphia’s artist Lil Uzi Vert latest project "Red & White." In this song Lil Uzi Vert daringly address scenarios where his expression as an individual causes conversation. Prominently in the chorus Lil Uzi Vert attempts to diminish comments on his "purse." Although musically these two songs do not resemble each other, the queerness is present in the lyrics.

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Lil Uzi Vert - Glock In My Purse [Official Audio]

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The early history of Rock N Roll is a story of segregation. Due to Jim Crow laws and racism in general, African-Americans were not allowed to enter white-only spaces, such as ballrooms and auditoriums. Instead, they were segregated with physical ropes or hosted private shows to enable congregants with the whites during the performances of Chuck Berry or Lloyd Price. Little Richard was one of the few Black artists who was able to break through these barriers and perform for both white and Black audiences. "Richard opened the door. He brought the races together," producer H.B. Barnum tells Charles White in the singer's biography The Life and Times of Little Richard. "When I first went on the road there were many segregated audiences. With Richard, although they still had the audiences segregated in the building, they were there together. And most times, before the end of the night, they would all be mixed together." His success, much like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, opened the doors for other Black artists to be heard and seen. It allowed for the future generations of innovators, like Lil Uzi Vert, and Rico Nasty, Travis Scott, Lil Yatchy, and Playboi Carti, to continue to push the boundaries. Similarly, these artist has been able to join communities across all races to enjoy this new captivating sound. These musicians are a testament to the power of art and the ability to break through racial barriers. They have been able to bring people together and share their music with the world, regardless of their backgrounds.

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Classic Mood Experience. “Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven (1956),” February 5, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlzUKLOm_U.

Maultsby, Portia. “History of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Timeline of African American Music,          2021. https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/rock-n-roll.

lil boat. “Lil Yachty - the BLACK Seminole. (Official Audio),” January 27, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8l2kS4U8EE.

BBC Archive. “1972: LITTLE RICHARD Interview Is the GOAT  | Late Night Line-Up | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive,” December 20, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btdzp52AmsE.

“King of Rock and Roll.” Spotify, January 1, 1971. https://open.spotify.com/track/2FIr53pyVoYRykWQHM8O47?si=0e1e44abf3054023.

LIL UZI VERT. “Lil Uzi Vert - Glock In My Purse [Official Audio],” July 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Fbn4hkWjk.

Wald, Gayle. Shout, Sister, Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister              Rosetta Tharpe. Beacon Press, 2007.

“Messy (Feat. Teezo Touchdown & Bktherula).” Spotify, July 22, 2022. https://open.spotify.com/track/79D8MCSEt4fr3qq9XZuTLd?si=5ca253ba308e4f80.

White, Charles L. The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Quasar of Rock, 1984.