Songs About Slavery, From Blues And Jazz To Rap And Modern Music

Interestingly, there are a wide variety of songs about slavery, spanning multiple genres and historical periods. This is a topic that is still relevant today, as many people continue to experience slavery and human trafficking around the world. These songs help to shed light on this important issue and remind us of the strength and resilience of those who have been affected by it.

Whether it’s the blues songs of the early 20th century, Louis Armstrong’s jazz classics, or modern rap songs, there’s a tune out there for everyone about this important topic. Here are just a few examples of songs about slavery:

Blues Songs About Slavery

Over the years, the blues has been used as a way to deal with pain, suffering and difficult life experiences. So it’s no surprise that there are a number of blues songs about slavery. One of the most famous is “House of the Rising Sun”, which tells the story of a young woman who is forced into prostitution in New Orleans.

Other examples include “Sittin’ on Top of the World”, which was written by slaves about their hope for freedom, and “Sweet Home Chicago”, which is about the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural south to the urban north in the early 1900s.

Rap Songs About Slavery

In recent years, hip hop and rap artists have used their music to address a variety of social and political issues, including slavery. Kendrick Lamar’s song “DNA.” addresses the issue of racism and slavery in America, while Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.” tells the story of a successful African American man who is still haunted by his roots.

Other rap songs about slavery include “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos” by Public Enemy, which is about the prison-industrial complex, and “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday, which is about the lynching of African Americans.

Modern Songs About Slavery

In recent years, there have been a number of modern songs about slavery and the African American experience. Beyoncé’s “Formation” is a call to action for black Americans, while Solange’s “Don’t Touch My Hair” is a celebration of African American culture and beauty.

Other examples include “Freedom” by Beyoncé, which features the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner, and “Blood” by Lecrae, which addresses the issue of police brutality. Generally, these newer songs are more positive and empowering, while still acknowledging the dark history of slavery in America.

Jazz Songs About Slavery

Jazz is another genre that has been used to deal with the issue of slavery. Louis Armstrong songs about slavery include “Black and Blue”, which is about the mistreatment of African Americans, and violence that African Americans faced on a daily basis. Other examples of Armstrong’s songs about slavery include “Go Down, Moses”, which is based on a slave spiritual, and “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”, which is a more light-hearted take on the African American experience.

Louis Armstrong wasn’t the only jazz musician to write songs about slavery, however. Other examples include “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington and “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Billy Strayhorn, which is about the Harlem Renaissance.

Gospel Songs About Slavery

We've mentioned the song "Go Down, Moses" in the passage above, which is perhaps the best known Black spiritual. It references the Biblical story of Moses pleading with the Pharoah of Egypt to let his people go, an obvious allusion to American enslavement of Black people.

These songs were originally preserved through oral tradition among slave families, and many of them were first recorded only decades after their emergence. Other examples would be songs like "Steal Away" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". Both hymns, apart from the obvious Christian themes, have encoded messages about the Underground Railroad, a network of anti-slavery activists in the 19th Century who were working on getting enslaved people to escape to Northern free states, where slavery was not legal.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a wide variety of songs about slavery, spanning multiple genres and historical periods. Unfortunately, people continue to experience slavery and human trafficking around the world. But through music, we can learn more about the experiences of those who have been affected by it, keeping the issue in the public consciousness and reminding us of the strength and resilience of those who have been affected by it.