The Musical Biography of Sounds of Blackness: From Beginnings to Fame

Hailing from Minneapolis, Sounds of Blackness is a musical group that has been around since 1969. Comprising of gospel singers and musicians, the group is known for its soulful music that blends African American music traditions. They have earned a name for themselves with their harmonious vocals, profound lyrics, and meaningful messages. In this article, we take a trip down memory lane and take a look at the beginnings of the group, their most famous albums, and songs that have made them a household name.

Sounds of Blackness got their start at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in the late 1960s. The group was formed with the aim of preserving the African American culture and promoting awareness of their history through music. At first, the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices, but it wasn't until 1971 when they changed their name to Sounds of Blackness. The group continued struggling for years until they released their breakthrough album, The Evolution of Gospel, in 1991. This album peaked at #4 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and firmly established the group.

After the success of The Evolution of Gospel, Sounds of Blackness continued to produce top-class music that has stood the test of time. Some of their most famous songs include Optimistic, I'm Going All The Way, Hold On, and The Pressure. These songs have a unique sound that blends African American musical traditions like gospel, soul, funk, and R&B to create a sound that is hard to resist. The group's music is uplifting and speaks to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Sounds of Blackness has had quite a few albums over the years, but two of them stand out: The Evolution of Gospel and Africa to America: The Journey of The Drum. The former is the group's breakthrough album, while the latter is a tribute to the African rhythms that have influenced African American music for centuries. Africa to America: The Journey of The Drum is the group's most ambitious project to date, featuring over 200 singers, musicians, and dancers. The album blends African and African American rhythms to create a unique sound that tells a story of a people's journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

The musical style of Sounds of Blackness is a blend of African American musical traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. The group uses gospel music as a foundation, then adds soul, funk, R&B, and other musical genres to create a unique sound that speaks to people from all walks of life. Their music is not only entertaining but also carries a message of hope, love, and faith. Sounds of Blackness has also been influenced by greats like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin.

Sounds of Blackness is a musical ensemble that has made an indelible mark on the music industry. Their sound is unique and unapologetically rooted in African American musical traditions. The group's music is uplifting, motivational, and heartfelt, making them appeal to a broad audience. Sounds of Blackness has worked hard over the years to promote African American culture and history through their music, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. If you love soulful, uplifting music that speaks to the soul, then Sounds of Blackness is definitely worth checking out.