An exuberant, lyrical text celebrates the rich history and variety of music made and influenced by Black Americans. The chronological account begins with the beat of talking drums, “the fireside chorus / of the motherland,” before moving to forms of music that “shouldered” the enslaved and “lifted / the insufferable weight off our world”: hymns, field hollers, juba, litanies, spirituals. Music “crooned” and “moaned” in juke joints and jazz clubs, sometimes a “rapid-fire tempo,” other times a “musical conversation.” As the decades passed, music evolved and genres emerged: scat and bebop, rock ‘n roll, funk, rap, and more. Often inextricably tied to or reflective of the political moment, Black music—American music—is “a symphony / of refuge and redemption / the sweet sound of a people / surviving and thriving / all the while learning / to love themselves / by singing it LOUD / and PROUD.” Brimming with energy and emotion, and smoothly incorporating song and album titles and lyrics, the text reads not like a straightforward history but like music itself; it begs to be read aloud and revisited. Vibrant, dynamic acrylic paintings complement the text, while extensive back matter provides additional historical context and elaborates on the musical styles, artists, and songs to which the main narrative alludes. (Ages 5-10)

Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by the award-winning author of The Undefeated.



Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy--the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday's raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce?



Come dance to Kwame Alexander's melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer.



The book includes extensive back matter, providing even more context and history about the music and musicians.