In the late 1800s and early 1900s the United States became an important center of this music. Songwriters in New York City wrote many popular songs.

AFRICAN ROOTS
Throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, indigenous Africans were brought from Africa to the United States and forced to work as slaves. Most of these Africans were taken from tribes in Western Africa. This music was created by the descendants of those slaves in the late 19th and early 20th century.

This music has had many styles and forms over the years. One thing that most  music has is a strong beat. It is almost always focuses on the singer or singers. It often features electric guitars along with drums, electric bass, and sometimes piano or organ. Some musicians also use saxophones, trumpets, and other horns in their music
First appeared in the United States in the 1950s. In the early days it was called rock and roll. It developed from other music styles, especially African American popular music (called rhythm and blues) and country music. Chuck Berry was one of the first rock-and-roll singers and songwriters. Elvis Presley was the first rock-and-roll superstar.

Early  musicians played mostly fiddles, banjos, guitars, and string basses. Later musicians added electric basses, pedal steel guitars, keyboards, and drums. This music has its roots in the folk music of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Settlers brought this music to North America in the 1700s and 1800s
The earliest popular performers of music included Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family.