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Music has always been one of the most powerful ways for people to express themselves, and in American history, it has played a huge role in reflecting and shaping culture. Starting in the 1920s during the Harlem Renaissance, African American artists and musicians helped change the world of music forever. Jazz, blues, and swing grew out of the creative energy in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City, where Black artists, writers, and performers found ways to share their stories and their struggles through art. Musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith created sounds that were not only new but also deeply emotional and meaningful. Their work set the stage for later generations of artists and helped music become more than just entertainment — it became a way to share identity, culture, and social issues. As America moved through the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, new styles like rock ‘n’ roll, folk, and R&B took over, each reflecting the different voices and experiences of people living through wars, civil rights struggles, and huge social changes. In the 1960s, music became an even louder voice for change, especially during protests against the Vietnam War and the fight for racial equality. Events like Bob Dylan going electric in 1965 and the rise of protest songs in the folk scene showed how music was evolving. One of the most important moments during this time was the Woodstock Festival in 1969, where artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people. Woodstock wasn’t just a concert — it became a symbol of peace, rebellion, and unity during one of the most chaotic times in American history.

Even today, the history of music continues to repeat this pattern. Artists like Kanye West and the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar show how music still reflects both personal and social struggles. Whether it’s Kanye’s public controversies or the battle for the top spot in rap, music remains a way for people to speak their minds, challenge others, and shape culture — just like it did during the Harlem Renaissance, the protest music era, and the days of Woodstock.

11. Hutchinson, G. "Harlem Renaissance." Encyclopedia Britannica, March 31, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/event/Harlem-Renaissance-American-literature-and-art.

12. Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, "When Musicians Went on Strike — and Won," Jacobin, accessed April 15, 2025, https://jacobin.com/2022/03/1940s-musicians-strike-american-federations-of-musicians-afm-labels-streaming.

13. Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, "When Musicians Went on Strike — and Won," Jacobin, accessed April 15, 2025, https://jacobin.com/2022/03/1940s-musicians-strike-american-federations-of-musicians-afm-labels-streaming.

14. "The Historical Development of Protest Music," The Ongoing History of Protest Music, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.ongoinghistoryofprotestsongs.com/home/#:~:text=Even%20though%20the%2060s%20are,the%20voice%20of%20disenfranchised%20youth.

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The Harlem Renaissance & The Birth of Jazz and Blues (1920s-1930s)

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The Harlem Renaissance & The Birth of Jazz and Blues (1920s-1930s)

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The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement led in the center of Harlem, New York, in the 1920s and 1930s. African Americans wanted to change their image in society, and during the Renaissance, they did that by celebrating their African American culture and creativity through music, writing, and art. At the Heart of the Renaissance, Jazz and Blues became popular. In Harlem, Jazz and Blues would be performed at the Cotton Club, speakeasies, and house parties. Many famous artists from this era started performing or playing at some of these spots in Harlem during their careers. For example, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Ma Rainey are musicians who emerged during the Harlem Renaissance. Harlem represented innovation and creation, laying the groundwork for the fight for Civil Rights. Music allowed for a sense of community in Harlem. (5)

5. Hutchinson, G. "Harlem Renaissance." Encyclopedia Britannica, March 31, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/event/Harlem-Renaissance-American-literature-and-art.

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Here is a clip of what some music from the Harlem Renaissance would have sounded like.

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Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World

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During World War II, music brought people together, boosted morale, and comforted them during times of uncertainty. The Swing Era consisted of big bands with brass sections that played upbeat music and danceable melodies. Famous band leaders like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway would conduct the bands and entertain troops overseas as well as people at home. Swing music evoked a sense of patriotism and hope during a challenging time like war. (4)

4. "'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy': Music in World War II," Friends of the National WWII Memorial, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/blog/boogie-woogie-bugle-boy-music-in-world-war-ii.

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The American Federation of Musicians Strike (1942)

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The American Federation of Musicians Strike (1942)

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On August 1, 1942, the American Federation of Musicians, led by union president James C. Petrillo, went on strike against the major American record companies due to disagreements over royalty payments. Record companies profited from musicians' music while unfairly compensating the musicians who created the music. The strike led to a halt in the making of new music for over a year. This strike allowed for record companies to agree to pay royalties into a fund to support musicians. This musicians-led strike permitted for their rights to be put forward. (3)

3. Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, "When Musicians Went on Strike — and Won," Jacobin, accessed April 15, 2025, https://jacobin.com/2022/03/1940s-musicians-strike-american-federations-of-musicians-afm-labels-streaming.

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Rock and Roll took America by storm. Rock and Roll took blending rhythm and blues with country and gospel influences. This broke racial barriers by bringing black and white audiences together through a shared love of the new sound. Artists like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly became very popular with young people and teenagers for their performance style .The rise of Rock and Roll allowed teenagers to start to question traditional norms. Rock and Roll represented a generation ready for change. (6)

6. Kot, G. "rock and roll." Encyclopedia Britannica, December 20, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/art/rock-and-roll-early-style-of-rock-music.

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THE ELVIS PRESLEY himself

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JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957) - Elvis Presley - Classic Movie Musical Numbers

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Civil Rights, Counterculture, and the British Invasion (1960s)

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Civil Rights, Counterculture, and the British Invasion (1960s)

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In the 60s, music really transformed through political movements. In the civil rights movement, music was used as a rallying tool to challenge racial segregation and inequality in the US. Artists like Bob Dylan and Sam Cooke used their platform to fight against injustice while creating great music. The counterculture movement was fueled by young people who were rebelling against traditional societal norms through music. The British Invasion was started by bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. The 60s were a time for great rock sounds and fighting for change. (7)

7. "Situationist International December 1967: The Revolution of Modern Art and the Modern Art of Revolution," Kenny Wilsons Blog, accessed April 15, 2025, https://kennywilson.org/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-1960s-counterculture-in-britain-and-america/#:~:text=While%20young%20America%20was%20being,dominated%20the%20American%20pop%20charts.

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Bob Dylan Goes Electric at Newport Folk Festival (1965)

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Bob Dylan Goes Electric at Newport Folk Festival (1965)

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In the summer of 1965, Bob Dylan performed at the Newport Folk Festival and completely surprised his fans. Until then, Dylan was famous for his acoustic songs about social issues and was seen as a prominent voice in the folk music world. But he shocked the audience by playing an electric guitar with a full band during this show. Some people in the crowd were excited, but many others were really upset and even booed him. This moment wasn’t just a big deal for Dylan — it also showed how music and culture changed in the 1960s. Young people were starting to push back against old traditions, and artists were mixing different styles of music in new ways. Dylan’s choice to go electric helped start new types of music, like folk-rock, and showed how important it is to take risks, even if not everyone agrees with you. (8)

8. "Dylan Goes Electric at the Newport Folk Festival," History.com, last modified January 30, 2025, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-25/dylan-goes-electric-at-the-newport-folk-festival.

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Bob Dylan going ELECTRIC

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Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone (Live at Newport 1965)

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Woodstock- The Defining Music Festival of a Generation (1969)

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Woodstock- The Defining Music Festival of a Generation (1969)

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In August 1969, hundreds of thousands of people gathered on a farm in Bethel, New York, for what would become one of the most famous music festivals in history — Woodstock. Even though the event was supposed to have only around 50,000 people, way more showed up, and the vast crowd turned the festival into a symbol of peace, love, and music. Some of the most prominent artists of the time, like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who, all performed, and their music became the soundtrack for a generation that wanted change. Woodstock wasn’t just about the music — it represented the ideas of the 1960s counterculture, like standing up for peace, rejecting war, and living freely. Despite the mud, bad weather, and huge crowds, people still came together and created a peaceful environment. Woodstock showed how powerful music could bring people together and inspire them to think differently about the world. (9)

9. "Woodstock," History.com, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.history.com/articles/woodstock.

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Jimi Hendrix came on stage as the main act and played the Star Spangled Banner in front of a massive crowd at Woodstock.

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Jimi Hendrix   National Anthem USA  Woodstock 1969

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This is another band that started during the mid 60's. THE GRATEFUL DEAD!

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Grateful Dead - Friend Of The Devil (Oakland, CA 7/24/87)

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The Rise of Protest & New Genres (1970s)

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The Rise of Protest & New Genres (1970s)

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The 1970s were a time when music became an even bigger way for people to speak out about problems in the world. After the 1960s, with events like the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, artists used music to protest against unfair treatment, war, and social issues. Songs weren’t just for entertainment anymore — they were about sending a message. Bands and artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marvin Gaye, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, The Clash, and Fleetwood Mac all released songs that made people think about what was really going on. Tracks like “Fortunate Son,” “What’s Going On,” “Give Peace a Chance,” and “London Calling” became powerful anthems for change. At the same time, new genres started to rise. Punk rock gave young people a way to express anger about politics and society, while hip-hop started in New York as a voice for communities often left out of the conversation. Classic rock and disco also exploded in popularity, showing how music was branching out. The 1970s proved that music could be more than just sound — it was a way to unite people, push for change, and reflect the world around them. (10)

10. "The Historical Development of Protest Music," The Ongoing History of Protest Music, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.ongoinghistoryofprotestsongs.com/home/#:~:text=Even%20though%20the%2060s%20are,the%20voice%20of%20disenfranchised%20youth.

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Current event 1 - Downfall of Kanye West (2009- Present) 

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Current event 1 - Downfall of Kanye West (2009- Present) 

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Kanye West was once seen as one of modern music's most creative and influential artists. From his early albums like The College Dropout and Graduation to later projects like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye changed the sound of hip-hop and pushed music in new directions. He was known not just for his beats and lyrics but for how he blended styles and wasn’t afraid to be different. Over time, though, Kanye became just as famous for his public behavior as his music. He started making headlines for interrupting award shows, going on strange rants, and posting controversial things on social media. In the 2020s, Kanye’s downfall sped up after he made a series of offensive and antisemitic comments, which led to major companies like Adidas and Gap cutting ties with him. Fans and the public were shocked to see someone who once inspired so many people fall so hard. His story shows how fame can affect someone and how what an artist says and does outside their music can shape their entire career. Kanye’s rise and fall is now seen as one of the most dramatic examples of how fast public opinion can change in the age of social media. (1)

1. Hearst Magazine Media, "Kanye West," Biography, last modified February 6, 2025, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.biography.com/musicians/kanye-west.

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Current event 2 - The Drake and Kendrick Beef (2024- Ongoing???)

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Current event 2 - The Drake and Kendrick Beef (2024- Ongoing???)

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One of the biggest rap rivalries in modern music is the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Both artists are considered some of the best of their generation, with Drake known for his catchy hooks and emotional lyrics and Kendrick for his deep storytelling and sharp wordplay. Their beef started around 2013 when Kendrick called out Drake and other rappers in his verse on Big Sean’s song Control. Even though it wasn’t a direct diss, the verse got much attention and started a quiet competition between the two. Over the years, both rappers have taken subtle and not-so-subtle shots at each other in interviews and their music. Fans and media love to break down their lyrics, looking for hidden messages aimed at one another. Their rivalry shows how hip-hop still uses competition to push artists to improve, just like older rap feuds in the ‘90s and 2000s. Whether the beef is personal or just about proving who’s the best, it’s kept both Drake and Kendrick at the top of the game and has become one of the most talked-about storylines in modern rap. (2)

2.  Carl Lamarre, "Drake and Kendrick Lamar's Rocky Relationship Explained," Billboard, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.billboard.com/lists/drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-timeline/may-3-2024-kendrick-goes-back-to-back-with-second-diss-616-in-la/.

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Not Like Us is a diss track by Kendrick Lamar aimed directly at Drake during their 2024 rap beef. The song calls out Drake for being fake and questions his character, making it one of the most significant moments in their feud. Fans saw it as Kendrick’s way of taking the upper hand in the battle, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about diss tracks in hip-hop.