Recommended for All Ages
Aunt Cynthia, a music history buff, helps her niece Lauren learn about the music genres that were born and formed by African American history and culture. They cover a wide breadth, all the way from the times of slavery, to Negro Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, Gospel, the Civil Rights movement, Soul and R&B, and Hip Hop. Cynthia works to inspire Lauren’s curiosity about these periods of history by continuously making it relevant to the music, and uses the layers of a quilt to explain how music of the past connects to the contemporary music that Lauren is most familiar with. By the end of the film, Lauren feels more empowered by the generational connections of music and culture she has learned.
For Fans of Explained TV Series, Soul, Dream Girls, VH1’s Behind the Music
Why We LOVE It: The fabric of American music is rooted in the contributions of African American artists and musicians. It is a film sure to make young audiences tap their toes and snap their fingers to the music that forever influences American art and culture.
Content Advisory: The film discusses the topics of slavery, segregation, and discrimination and may not be suitable for all viewers.
