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| Music of the United States | |
|---|---|
| Name | Music of the United States |
| Caption | Performers on a stage near the Statue of Liberty |
| Cultural origins | Indigenous Powwow traditions; African Gullah rhythms; European English folk songs, Spanish missions |
| Instruments | Banjo, Electric guitar, Piano, Drums, Violin |
| Subgenres | Blues, Jazz, Rock and roll, Hip hop, Country music, Gospel |
Music of the United States encompasses a diverse array of traditions, institutions, and industries that have evolved from Indigenous Powwow ceremonies, African diasporic practices from the Transatlantic slave trade, and European settler musics such as English folk songs and Spanish missions. Major developments include the rise of Blues in the Mississippi Delta, the emergence of Jazz in New Orleans, the national and global spread of Rock and roll from Sun Studio and Atlantic Records, and the global dominance of Hip hop music originating in the Bronx.
The colonial era saw interactions between Pilgrims, Jamestown settlers, and Indigenous nations like the Iroquois Confederacy, producing vernacular hymnody influenced by Isaac Watts and William Billings. Antebellum developments featured African-American spirituals and the work songs of the Gullah people, which fed into Minstrel shows and the minstrel performer Stephen Foster's repertoire. Post–Civil War urbanization and the Great Migration connected the Mississippi Delta blues of artists such as Robert Johnson to northern scenes in Chicago and Detroit, where labels like Chess Records and Motown Records catalyzed careers of Muddy Waters and Stevie Wonder. The 20th century introduced Duke Ellington's big bands, Louis Armstrong's improvisation, and the bebop innovations of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, while late-century movements included Punk rock at CBGB, Disco in Studio 54, and the rise of Public Enemy and N.W.A. in hip hop's political turn.
Major genres trace to distinct origins: Blues from Delta field traditions exemplified by Howlin' Wolf; Jazz from New Orleans figures like King Oliver; Country music from Appalachian musicians such as The Carter Family; Gospel from Thomas A. Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson; Rock and roll from crossover recordings by Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley; and Hip hop music from DJs like Kool Herc and emcees represented by Grandmaster Flash. Subgenres include Soul music associated with Otis Redding, R&B artists like Ray Charles, Punk rock bands including The Ramones, Alternative rock acts like Nirvana, Electronic dance music producers at festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, and contemporary fusion genres embodied by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.
Regional styles emerged in settings such as the San Francisco Bay Area psychedelic scene linked to Grateful Dead, the Seattle grunge movement tied to Sub Pop Records and Pearl Jam, and the Nashville country industry centered on Grand Ole Opry and RCA Victor. Indigenous contributions persist in Lakota and Navajo ceremonial music and contemporary ensembles at events like the Gathering of Nations. Latino influences shape Tejano scenes in San Antonio and salsa in New York City from labels like Fania Records. Cajun and Zydeco traditions in Louisiana feature artists such as Clifton Chenier.
The recording industry consolidated around major labels including Columbia Records, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment; historic independents like Sun Records and Motown Records reshaped markets. Radio corporations such as iHeartMedia and public institutions like National Public Radio influenced dissemination, while chart institutions like Billboard track sales and airplay. Copyright law—shaped by cases invoking the United States Copyright Office and statutes of the United States Congress—and award institutions like the Grammy Awards affect royalties and prestige. Digital platforms including Spotify and Apple Music have transformed distribution alongside streaming services operated by YouTube and SoundCloud.
Conservatories and universities such as the Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and the New England Conservatory train classical and contemporary musicians. Government and philanthropic entities like the National Endowment for the Arts and Smithsonian Institution support research, while museums including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History curate collections. Professional unions—American Federation of Musicians (AFM)—and institutions like the Metropolitan Opera structure careers and labor relations.
Historic venues include Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Ryman Auditorium, Hollywood Bowl, and jazz clubs like Village Vanguard and Blue Note Jazz Club. Festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and South by Southwest gather global audiences. Broadway theaters on Broadway stage musicals produced by companies like The Shubert Organization, while regional houses such as the Santa Fe Opera and orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony Orchestra present classical repertory.
U.S. music has shaped global popular culture through export of artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles (via transatlantic exchange), Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, and contemporary acts such as Taylor Swift and Drake. American innovations influenced movements abroad—from British Invasion acts inspired by Chuck Berry to international hip hop scenes in Paris, Seoul, and Lagos. Cultural diplomacy programs like the United States Information Agency's jazz tours featuring Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington promoted soft power, while transnational collaborations occur through labels like Universal Music Group and festivals such as Glastonbury Festival.