Liza

====Hello! Welcome to my page! Below are three artists whose music relates to African American history. Here you will be able to read about each song, and what about them connects them to Africa. In class we have talked about how the lyrics, the rhythm, and the instruments help us link the songs to Africa. I hope you enjoy all the music and my page!==== = = = = = = = = = = =Music From Before 1973:= **Song:** Imagine **About the Artist: John Lennon was an English rock musician, singer, and writer. He was in a famous band call the Beatles with three other musicians including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. Together they became one of the most renowned and significant rock bands of all times. **    [|Lyrics]
 * Artist:** John Lennon
 * Released:** 1971
 * Gen****re:** Pop
 * Synopsis:** What connects “Imagine” by John Lennon to African music, are the lyrics. The lyrics talk about Lennon’s vision of a world without religion, and wars. He also talks about how he dreams for the day where we all live in peace. These lyrics represent the struggle for the world’s ability to get past racism and other discriminating topics. Also, just like Imagine, African American songs have a 4/4 rhythm, which helps distinguish African songs from other styles.

= = = = = = = = =media type="file" key="Imagine 1.mp3"= = = = = = = = = =Any **time Anywhere:**  = ** [|Lyrics]  **
 * Song:** Circle of Life
 * Artist:** Elton John
 * Released:** 1994
 * Genre: pop **[[image:Elton_John.jpg align="right"]] **About the Artist: Just like the Beatles, Elton John is one of the most popular musicians of all times. Throughout his career he has sold over 200 million records and has won multiple awards including 5 Grammy Awards, and one Academy Award. One of Elton John’s many talents, is the ability to take lyrics and create a melody for him (just like he did for the Circle of Life.) Elton John is one of a kind, and will be marked down in history for his genius musical talent. **
 * Synopsis:** “Circle of Life” by Elton John is connected to African music by the lyrics and the rhythm. //Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba [Here comes a lion, Father] Sithi uhm ingonyam [Oh yes, it's a lion] Nants ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhhmm ingonyama Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba [We're going to conquer] Ingonyama Ingonyama nengw' enamabala [A lion and a leopard come to this open place].// Above is the African chant, which begins the song, and consists throughout the rest of it. In the “Circle of Life”, you will hear a lot of African percussion, and other African instruments. Also, most African songs consist of a 4/4 rhythm, as does the “Circle of Life.”

media type="file" key="01 Circle of Life.m4a"

= = = = = = = = =Song from another country:=
 * Song:** Black's Man Cry** Artist: **Fela Kuti
 * Released: ** 1992
 * Genre:** Jazz[[image:LIZAimages.jpeg width="251" height="251" align="right"]] **About the Artist: Fela Kuti is a phenomenal musician and composer. In college he was a member of a band called Koola Lobitos, who played a style of music they called Afrobeat. In 1970, Fela Kuti released a hit album called Zombie, and has performed in several concerts over the years. **
 * Synopsis:** "Black’s Man Cry" is connected to African Music for multiple reasons. Like mention above, there arevery distinctive rhythms and styles in African music including call and response, and syncopation. The song is in a 4/4 rhythm, and includes multiple instruments that are influenced from the African American culture. Some of those instruments consist of percussion, and piano.

media type="file" key="05 Black's Man Cry.m4a"