By What do Islam and the song genre known as “the blues” have in common? Maybe more than you thought, actually. Watch this video to find out how Islam — and of course, Black Muslims — influenced the blues as we know it today. As the world begins to reckon with its whitewashing of history and terrible crimes against humanity, such as the enslavement of African Americans in the United States (about 30% of enslaved Africans were Muslims), it’s time that the United States and the Muslim community both acknowledge the history, presence, martyrdom, sacrifices, and contributions of Black Muslims to history and society as we know it today.
It’s even more interesting when you consider how blues informed other genres to follow, such as R&B, and how Islam has also been known to influence genres such as hip hop.
Take a few moments out of your day for a quick history lesson, and watch the video above.