Objective: African-American music history awareness
History: Students will be made aware of African-American music history from the slave work song through modern rap and hip-hop. Students will also be made aware of significant musical figures from several styles. Dates range from c.1619 through 2005.
- 1. Work Song – “Pickin’ Cotton All Day Long”
- 2. Spiritual – “Come By Here”
- 3. Blues – “Nobody Loves Me, But My Mother” (B. B. King)
- 4. Jazz – “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me”
- 5. Rhythm and Blues – “Let the Good Times Roll (Ray Charles)
- *6. Funk/Soul – “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (James Brown)
- *7. Hip Hop (early) – “Hip Hop Be Bop”
- *8. Rap/Hip Hop (contemporary) – “God Gave Me Style” (50 Cent)**
Assessment: Students will be asked questions with each selection. Questions will be in regard to personal preferences of students and their ability to recognize the common threads in African-American music history.
*The students REALLY love to get up and dance! I waited until the Funk/Soul era onward to allow dancing just so they wouldn’t get TOO excited too early in the lesson.