Final answer:
Call and response is a song style where a leader's phrase is echoed by a chorus, commonly found in African music traditions, American folk, and rock and roll.
Step-by-step explanation:
The song style where a leader is imitated by a chorus is known as call and response. This musical form is deeply rooted in African tradition and has influenced various types of music including work songs from the Lowland South, traditional South African songs like "Shosholoza," and even early American folk music such as lining out or line singing. It is characterized by a sequence where a solo vocalist (the caller) sings a phrase and a group of singers (the response) reply with a corresponding phrase.
This style not only connects performers musically, but also creates a sense of unity and participation among them.
Call and response can be seen in religious practices, where congregants echo a leader, and is evident in the evolution of rock and roll, where the rebellious spirit is often echoed by group vocals.