Mason Blake
The Beatles, formed in Liverpool in 1960, gained international stardom in 1964 and are considered the most influential act of the rock era. Their music was influenced by skiffle, American rhythm and blues, and girl groups. They are known for songs like She Loves You, A Hard Day's Night, and Let It Be. Black Beatles is a song by American hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd featuring rapper Gucci Mane, released in 2016. It is a hip-hop and trap song that became a viral sensation due to its association with the Mannequin Challenge. The song's title has been criticised as a tactic to gain attention by associating with the iconic Beatles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Black Beatles |
| Artist | Rae Sremmurd |
| Featuring | American rapper Gucci Mane |
| Genre | Hip-hop, trap |
| Production | Lo-fi |
| Album | SremmLife 2 |
| Year of Release | 2016 |
| Record Label | EarDrummers and Interscope Records |
| Peak Position | No.1 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Sales | 1,188,000 copies in the US as of February 11, 2017 |
| Certification | Diamond by the RIAA |
| UK Singles Chart Debut | No.36 |
| UK Singles Chart Peak | No.2 |
| Music Video Release Date | September 22, 2016 |
| Music Video Director | Motion Family |
| Remix | "Black Barbies" by Nicki Minaj and Mike Will Made It |
| Cameo | Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (2017) |
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What You'll Learn
The Beatles' influence on black artists like Jimi Hendrix, Prince and Lenny Kravitz
The influence of the Beatles on black artists like Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Lenny Kravitz is a complex topic that involves a range of musical and cultural factors.
Jimi Hendrix, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, was influenced by the Beatles, among other artists. The Beatles were early fans of Hendrix, with Paul McCartney even recommending him to perform at Monterrey Pop. While there may not be many sonic similarities between the Beatles and Hendrix due to their distinct musical styles, the opening feedback blast of "It's All Too Much" is said to be influenced by Hendrix. Additionally, the adventurous nature of the Beatles' recordings and the quality of their songs influenced Hendrix's approach to music.
Lenny Kravitz, a renowned American singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor, has also been influenced by a range of artists, including the Beatles. Kravitz's debut album, "Let Love Rule" (1989), blended rock, funk, reggae, hard rock, soul, and R&B influences. While the extent of the Beatles' influence on Kravitz is not explicitly stated, it is important to note that Kravitz's music often incorporates elements from a variety of genres, reflecting his diverse musical inspirations.
Prince, a legendary musician known for his innovative and eclectic style, was also influenced by a diverse range of artists, including the Beatles. While the specific details of how the Beatles influenced Prince's music are not readily available, it is safe to assume that their creative approach to songwriting and recording may have inspired Prince's own experimental and boundary-pushing musical explorations.
It is worth noting that during the 1960s, when Beatlemania was at its peak, there was a concurrent rise in the Motown Sound, which was dubbed the "Sound of Young America," and specifically the "Sound of Young Black America." Artists like Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, and the Four Tops were gaining popularity within the Black community, and their music had a significant impact on both Black and White audiences. The Beatles themselves were fans of Motown artists, indicating a mutual influence and appreciation for each other's music.
In conclusion, the influence of the Beatles on black artists like Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Lenny Kravitz may be subtle or indirect in some cases, but it reflects the complex interplay of musical influences across different genres and racial contexts. The Beatles' innovative approach to music and their widespread popularity undoubtedly left an impact on subsequent generations of artists, including those from diverse backgrounds, shaping the course of popular music in ways that are still being discovered and discussed.
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The Beatles' covers of black artists' songs
The Beatles were influenced by a combination of American musical influences, particularly rhythm and blues, and girl groups. They were also influenced by skiffle, a genre of music that emerged in the United States that combined elements of jazz, blues, folk, and country music.
The Beatles were one of the few Liverpool bands that stated which black artists had originally recorded the songs they were covering. This practice of white UK artists covering songs by black American artists brought attention to those black artists who may not have otherwise gained recognition in the UK. On their first five albums, released between 1963 and 1965, almost all of the covers were originally recorded by black American soul artists. These included The Shirelles' 'Boys' and 'Baby It's You', The Marvelettes' 'Please Mr. Postman', and Arthur Alexander's 'Anna (Go to Him)'. John Lennon was influenced by Chuck Berry, and Paul McCartney by Little Richard. Lennon often took lead vocals for the Chuck Berry covers, while McCartney did the same for the Little Richard covers.
The Beatles also added their own interpretations of black music to their compositions, which were then covered by black artists. For example, 'Got To Get You Into My Life' was covered by Earth, Wind & Fire, and Fats Domino recorded 'Lady Madonna', which Fats himself had influenced McCartney to write. Many reggae acts have also covered Beatles songs, such as Jackie Edwards' 'Yesterday', John Holt's 'I Will', and Ken Boothe's 'My Love'.
In addition to covering songs by black artists, The Beatles also incorporated elements of black music into their original songs. John Lennon's 'I Call Your Name' features a ska rhythm, while McCartney's 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' has a reggae influence.
The Beatles' music has had a significant impact on the music industry, with their songs becoming some of the most widely recorded of all time. Their influence extends to black artists as well, with many covering Beatles songs or incorporating their style into their own music.
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Black artists' covers of Beatles songs
The Beatles were influenced by black music and, in turn, inspired black artists. The band's early sound was formed from skiffle and a combination of American influences, especially rhythm and blues and girl groups. The Beatles were one of the few Liverpool bands to state at their gigs which black artists had recorded the songs they were covering. This practice of white UK artists covering songs by black American artists brought attention to those black artists, although their original versions were often outsold by the white artist's cover.
Many black soul artists have covered Lennon/McCartney songs. The 1995 album 'The Soul of Lennon & McCartney' features covers by black artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Al Green, and Ella Fitzgerald. Other notable covers include Stevie Wonder's 'We Can Work It Out' and Otis Redding's 'Day Tripper'.
Reggae and ska were also influences on The Beatles, and many reggae acts have covered Lennon/McCartney songs. These include John Holt's 'I Will', Ken Boothe's 'My Love', and Desmond Dekker's 'Blackbird'.
The Beatles' songs have also been covered by artists of the very genre they were originally trying to emulate. For example, Earth, Wind & Fire covered 'Got To Get You Into My Life', a song that was influenced by Fats Domino, who himself recorded a version of 'Lady Madonna'.
The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and Duke Ellington are among the black artists who have covered The Beatles' songs.
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The influence of American black music on the Beatles
The Beatles were influenced by American black musicians such as Little Richard, with whom they played and recorded songs like "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Long Tall Sally". They also covered songs by other African-American artists, including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "You Really Got A Hold On Me". The Beatles' respect for African-American music and their stance against segregation is evident in their refusal to perform for segregated audiences during the peak of Beatlemania. Lennon once stated, "We never play to segregated audiences and we aren't going to start now."
The influence of American black music can be heard in the Beatles' sound, which has been described as "outrageous" and "unprecedented". Their song "She Loves You" features falsetto leaps that may have been inspired by Little Richard but sounded unlike anything that came before. "A Hard Day's Night", written primarily by Lennon, begins with a ringing chord, and the specifics of its harmonic construction have been widely scrutinized and interpreted.
Despite their influence and admiration for African-American music, the Beatles did not achieve significant success on the R&B charts. Their album "Abbey Road" peaked at number 38 on the R&B album listings, which some have attributed to the racist criteria for the Billboard R&B charts. The Beatles' whiteness may have also contributed to their success and acclaim, as they made innovations by black artists more palatable to white audiences.
The Beatles' influence on popular culture and music was significant, and they are considered among the most important composers of the 20th century. They transformed the sound and significance of rock & roll and introduced innovations that changed the course of popular music.
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The Beatles' impact on rock & roll
The Beatles' music and image inspired and influenced a multitude of artists and bands, both during their active years and in the decades that followed. They sparked the "British Invasion" of the US pop market, with one-third of all top-ten hits in 1964 performed by British acts. Their songs featured harder-edged guitar sounds and a "rebellious" spirit, standing out from the novelty songs, teen idols, and girl groups of the time. The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (2001) described their influence as "incalculable," encompassing "all of Western culture" and setting a precedent for "virtually every rock experiment."
The Beatles' impact extended beyond music to societal and cultural shifts, particularly in youth-driven changes in postwar Britain and the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They helped to create a sense of youth culture, with young people embracing the Beatles as a symbol of excitement and possibility. The Beatles' fame amplified these trends, spreading the "word" on various trends and moods of the decade. They were cultural icons who spoke to the aspirations and values of the 1960s youth, and their influence on rock & roll was so profound that it changed the culture, which in turn changed society.
The Beatles' songs remain among the most recorded in history, with "Yesterday" reaching 1,600 cover versions by 1986. They broke sales and attendance records, and as of 2009, they were the best-selling band in history with over 600 million records sold worldwide. Their impact on rock & roll was so significant that it has continued to resonate and influence music and culture long after their disbandment in 1970.
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Frequently asked questions
"Black Beatles" is a hip-hop and trap song by American duo Rae Sremmurd featuring rapper Gucci Mane. The song is not explicitly political, but it pays tribute to the Beatles and subverts the status quo.
The Beatles were heavily influenced by American black music, particularly rhythm and blues and girl groups. They also covered songs by black artists and added their own interpretations, which later influenced black artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Lenny Kravitz.
The Beatles were a band from Liverpool, UK, formed in 1960. The band consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They gained international stardom in 1964 and remained active until their break-up in 1970.
