In 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed a decree naming June as a month of recognition, honoring Black people’s contribution and involvement in the creation of music.
Despite hosting a celebration on the White House Lawn, Carter did not sign a special presidential proclamation to make the ongoing celebration official. In 2000, the bill establishing Black Music Appreciation Month was passed by the U.S. Congress to highlight Black influences on American culture.
The history of Black music predates written records, tracing back to the drumbeats heard throughout the Motherland, to creative expression through modern blues, ragtime, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, funk and hip hop. Even genres that have a predominantly white base of creators and audiences, such as classical, country and the many derivatives of rock and roll are evolved from the influence of Black song makers.
Like most activities and forms of recreation, generalizations and stereotypes regarding who likes and listens to which type of music underestimate areas where diversity thrives. Just like there are numerous Black instrumentalists who create beautiful classical music, and singers who have helped shape country music, there are diverse audiences around the world whose music tastes are not limited by racial boundaries.
When it comes to rock and its modernized alternative subgenre, the Black influence and audience deserves to be acknowledged.
The History of Alternative Rock
The late 1960s and early 1970s were tumultuous times in American history, marked by significant social and political upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement, the anti-Vietnam War protests and the Women’s Liberation Movement were just a few of the prominent forces driving change during the era.
Alternative rock, or Alt-rock, has deep roots in rebellion and counterculture, stemming from a desire to break away from mainstream norms and express individuality. While they may have been initially associated with certain demographics, particularly young white males, it is imperative to recognize the contributions of Black artists to the genre.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix and Prince are some of the pioneering Black musicians in rock and roll history whose legacy is often recognized as the earliest inspiration to modern rock musicians today. Tharpe, a self-taught guitarist, crossed over from gospel to rock and roll music and created the classic rock sound, earning the affectionate title of “The Godmother of Rock and Roll.” Hendrix, who is recognized as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, pioneered the possibilities of the electric guitar, forever changing the genre.
Evolved from independent music scenes that valued artistic integrity over commercial success, Alt-rock encompasses a wide range of sounds and styles, united by a shared ethos of independence and non-conformity. Black artists have played pivotal roles in shaping rock music in all its forms, bringing unique perspectives, talent and experiences to the forefront of the genre.
Ultimately, Alt-rock serves as a platform for expressing rebellion, conciliating alienation and satisfying a desire for authenticity. It is known for lyrics that address social concern, blending influences from punk rock, hard rock, hip hop and folk music. Though it may have originated from specific cultural contexts, its influence and appeal extends far beyond narrow demographics, resonating with anyone who values creativity, individualism and the power of music to challenge the status quo.
Black Alt-Rock Artists
The emergence of Black rock bands in the 1980s brought forth a dynamic fusion of musical influences and cultural expressions that is often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Artists like Living Colour, Rage Against the Machine, Fishbone and Bad Brains have made significant contributions to the genre, pushing boundaries and blending different styles to create something entirely new.
The Black Alt-rock band, Living Colour brought a vibrant mix of hard rock, funk, and jazz to the forefront with their 1988 album “Vivid,” challenging stereotypes and garnering critical acclaim. Similarly, Rage Against the Machine, led by Mexican, African and Jewish singer Zack De La Rocha, fused elements of rap and metal to create a politically charged sound that resonated with audiences around the world.
Rage Against The Machine brought a fierce political edge to their music, drawing from the rebellious spirit of punk and hip-hop to address social injustices. The Veldt and TV On The Radio continued this tradition of experimentation, incorporating elements of psychedelia, electronica and Alt-rock into their sonic landscapes.
Black Alt-rock bands have drawn upon international influences to create fresh, unique sounds. Fishbone brought an eclectic approach to music, incorporating ska, funk, punk and more, exemplifying the spirit of experimentation that characterized the Alt-rock scene of the 1990s. Bad Brains, pioneers of hardcore punk, infused their music with reggae and funk influences, further expanding the sonic palette of rock.
Together, these artists reshaped the landscape of rock music, demonstrating the power of diversity and the importance of embracing different perspectives and influences. Their legacies continue to inspire new generations of musicians and listeners alike, ensuring that the impact of Black musicians on rock music will never be overlooked again.
Black & Alt-Rock in Denver
Elyjah “Tribe” Youngblood knows a lot about not judging a book by its cover. Towering most people at 6-feet, 8-inches, the tall Black man with long locs is not the typical image of an Alt-rock artist.
“A lot of people are shocked that I play alternative rock music,” he says with a chuckle.
Youngblood is a Californian who moved to Colorado two years ago to pursue his musical dreams. His background consists of early exposure to gospel, funk and rock. As a child, he attended the Emmanuel Baptist megachurch in San Jose, a religious institution that drew the attention of famed musicians such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Bootsy Collins and others, who were known to hire musicians directly from the church band.
“I was like little Michael Jackson with the afro, singing in front of a large audience of close to 5,000 people a day,” he recalls. “I started singing to a large audience at the age of 7 in the church, and it exposed me to so much music.”
Youngblood was mentored by renowned drummer Louie Bellson, who has played with Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and James Brown. As he got older, he picked up the drums and found a connection between gospel and rock and roll. He stepped into Alt-rock after losing his voice as a teenager, and discovered that his matured voice had developed a vocal growl. At the same time, he was recovering from a torn ACL, which ended his basketball dreams and put him on the path to music education. Two days before his birthday during his freshman year at St. Mary’s College, he lost his grandmother and fell into a deep depression. Guitar was the light at the end of the tunnel.
He reflects on the difficult time, saying, “You can really see yourself. The guitar made me go to rock because I didn’t have the same melody.”
In 2019, he wrote his first Alt-rock song, “Don’t Make Believe,” establishing his own signature sound. It pushed him to explore music further. Going on to obtain a master’s degree in piano, vocals and drums, he paired his classical training from school with his real-life studies about his favorite bands.
Currently, Youngblood plays in a two-piece band with a saxophonist, alternating between playing drums and guitar. In addition to Alt-rock, he plays reggae, jazz and funk. When discussing his experience as an Alt-rock artist and the audiences he plays for in Denver, he calls the stereotypical and discriminatory ideas surrounding music in the Denver scene as an “illusion of inclusion.”
“A lot of people are shocked and taken aback by the fact that I play the guitar and sing alternative rock. Why is this a shock? Rock music is a part of my culture. It is a part of me.” he says.
“Black people have stories to tell and we can tell those stories through alt-rock.”
Exploring New Genres
Denver is home to multiple musical ecosystems, with many band members playing in more than one band. Music enthusiasts who would like to explore Alt-rock and other forms of music from Black artists in the city can often find small venues that feature local bands with calendars containing diverse music styles and artists, in addition to utilizing event calendars for specific event information.
Music has been referred to as the “universal language of mankind,” and while Black influences abound in every genre, Black Music Appreciation Month is an opportunity to explore the cultural richness in music being made today, while remembering the contributions made throughout history.
