When slaves were first brought over from West Africa to the sweltering heat of the southern plantations in America, they were forced to assimilate into strange and unfamiliar Eurocentric surroundings.

However, they brought along with them aspects of their culture back home; religion, dance, dialect, music, and cuisine. A hybrid between the two cultures eventually emerged, centered in south where the institution of slavery became a vital part of economy.

A language used by slaves called Gullah developed, which integrated a combination of several African languages with English. The stomping religious dance of the ring shout turned into modern dances like the Charleston, and tribal chants slowly transformed into sorrowful hymns sung by slaves that described their toils in bondage. Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, is now a hub for voodoo, a spiritual culture that originated from the acclimatization of African spirituality into American Christianity.

These soulful accounts by slaves of the harsh climate and conditions aptly began to be called “the blues”, which continued in popularity amongst African-Americans and descendants of slaves after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. This music genre increased in popularity into the early 1900’s where many black musicians became a vital part of the music industry.

The slaves that had been brought over were from all different regions of West Africa, but altogether, they began to intertwine together until they formed a common culture. This strengthened the identity of their music that would, in the 1950’s, eventually lead to the emergence of rock and roll.

The Beatles, the most prolific band of the 60s, are often determined as the catalyst that resulted in the ideology surrounding music that is still around today. The freedom and individuality associated with that time period bred a whole culture surrounding music. It was not just music anymore, but a lifestyle. It is romanticised in today’s society, and modernized echoes of these phenomenons are still felt. Slowly the groupies and “Beatlemania” of the 60’s transformed into the modern fangirl and “fandoms”.

The sensationalism of that decade set up music as being such a vital part of society and pop culture. Musicians are glorified and put up on a pedestal, with tons of adoring and screaming fans attending their live concerts, buying their merchandise, and keeping up to date with them on social media. The modern technology of present day has allowed for a greater gap between the creator of the music and the fan, as well as a widespread commercialization of music.

However, criticisms of modern pop music often arise due its mass production, and how there is a lack of the same soul and genuineness in music that was rising in the early 20th century.

Whether people like or dislike modern pop, everyone can agree on one thing; music has had a profound effect on society. Many studies have been conducted to determine the positive effect that classical music has on studying students, as well as perceived benefits it has on children when it is played for them when they are in the womb.

Most people say they can’t live without music, or they couldn’t imagine their life without it, and it’s clear to see why. Throughout history it has been used as a form of escape for many, from slaves toiling in the fields and singing of their struggles, to deaf composers such as Beethoven that have been driven nearly mad because of their desire to produce music.