Final answer:
Music in West African cultures helped to connect people through communication and cultural expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Music played a significant role in connecting people within West African cultures in two major ways. First, music was used as a form of communication and expression. Enslaved African Americans communicated with hollers and calls derived from their musical tradition of call and response. Calls were used to convey messages, attract attention, or make one's presence known. This form of communication helped to create a sense of community among the African American population.
Second, music served as a cultural expression. African Americans blended West African rhythms, shouts, and melodies with European American tunes to create spiritual songs and hymns. These songs became a way to express their spirituality and cultural identity, laying the foundation for future forms of American music like blues, jazz, and hip-hop. The use of music in this way helped to connect people within West African cultures by providing a shared artistic and cultural experience.