In the early 1920s, record companies discovered that there was a profitable market for selling music made by African Americans to African Americans. These recordings became known as “race records.” Race records quickly grew in popularity and classic blues was the leading genre. During the same timeframe, an explosion of African American intellectual, social, and artistic production was occurring in Harlem, NYC. This golden age in African American culture (1920s–1930s) is known as The Harlem Renaissance.

In this lesson, students will explore the ways in which the intersection between race and class affected how blues music was perceived, marketed, and advertised during the first half of the 20th century. Specifically, they will consider the importance of race records in the history of African American music. They will also identify similarities and differences between blues music and musical styles that were more readily accepted by people involved in the Harlem Renaissance. Finally, they will analyze advertising tools that were used to promote early blues records and will have an opportunity to design their own advertisement for the musical artist of their choice.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. Selling the Blues: The Emergence of Race Records

   • Explain why companies did not market music with African Americans in mind until the 1920s.
   • Explain the importance of “race records” in the history of African American music.
   • Approx. 30 minutes

2. The Harlem Renaissance and the Blues

   • Explain how class impacted the reception of blues in some areas of the United States (for example, during the Harlem Renaissance).
   • Identify musical and stylistic differences between a classic blues recording and an arranged African American spiritual.
   • 30+ minutes

3. Advertising the Blues

   • Design and create your own musical advertisement, replicating the style used to advertise blues records in the early 20th century.
   • 30+ minutes