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Hillbilly and Race Music: How did they become "popular"?

User Espezy
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Final answer:

Hillbilly and Race Music evolved into what we now know as country and R&B, leading to the development of rock 'n' roll. This new genre became popular in the 1950s, blurring racial lines and contributing to the desegregation efforts of the era through its wide appeal to white and African American teenagers alike.

Step-by-step explanation:

The genres of Hillbilly and Race Music evolved into what we recognize today as country and rhythm and blues (R&B), respectively. These genres became popular largely during the 1950s with the birth of rock 'n' roll, which was a fusion of these musical styles. Rock 'n' roll, in turn, had its roots in West African call-and-response traditions and was deeply influenced by the sounds from church music.

Rock 'n' roll quickly became popular amongst teenagers, challenging the racial and cultural status quo of the time. It played a significant role in blurring racial lines, as white youth embraced the music and style of African American musicians. Artists like Elvis Presley and Bill Haley achieved mainstream success by adapting these musical motifs. Despite opposition from parents and figures like Frank Sinatra who criticized the new genre, rock 'n' roll's popularity soared, leading to the production of 600 million albums by the end of the decade.

The allure of rock 'n' rolls among teens contributed to the integration of white suburbanites and African American culture, facilitated in part by the American capitalist response to the burgeoning demand. Companies began producing large numbers of rock albums, reflecting the genre's huge market potential. Furthermore, television played a crucial role in disseminating rock 'n' roll, with shows like the Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand presenting black and white musicians to a national audience. The popularity and integration of rock 'n' roll music helped to pave the way for ending certain types of segregation and increased the social interaction between black and white teenagers during the 1950s.

User Toke Eskildsen
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