The cover of race records catalogue of victor talking machine company

Race records were 78 rpm gramophone records made by and for African Americans during the early 20th century, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s. They primarily contained race music, which comprised a variety of African American genres music such as blues, jazz, and gospel music, but many also contained comedy. Race records were marketed by Okeh Records,^photo Emerson Records,^photo Vocalion Records,^photo Victor Talking Machine Company,^photo and several other companies.

[edit] Terminology

Such records were labeled "race records" in reference to their marketing to African Americans, but white Americans gradually began to purchase such records as well. The term first appeared in an advertisement in a 1922 issue of the Chicago Defender, an African American newspaper.^[1] Most of the major recording companies issued special "race" series of records between the mid 1920s and the 1940s.^[2]

Although in hindsight the term "race record" may seem to be a derogatory one, in the early 20th century the African American press routinely used the term "the Race" to refer to African Americans as a whole, and used the terms "race man" or "race woman" to refer to African American individuals who showed pride and support for his or her people and culture.^[3]

[edit] Transition to rhythm and blues

Billboard magazine published "Race Records" charts between 1945 and 1949, initially covering juke box plays and from 1948 also covering sales.^[4] These were revised versions of the "Harlem Hit Parade" chart which it had introduced in 1942.

In June 1949, at the suggestion of Billboard journalist Jerry Wexler, the magazine renamed its chart again to "Rhythm & Blues Records". Wexler wrote : "Race" was a common term then, a self-referral used by blacks...On the other hand, "Race Records" didn't sit well...I came up with a handle I thought suited the music well - 'rhythm and blues'... a label more appropriate to more enlightened times."^[5]

[edit] See also

• Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - for history of the Billboard R&B record chart, known as the "Race Records" chart from February 1945 to June 1949.
• African American music

[edit] References

• Ramsey, Guthrie P., Jr. (2003). Race Music: Black Cultures from Bebop to Hip-Hop. Music of the African Diaspora, 7. Berkeley, California; London, England: University of California Press; Chicago, Illinois: Center for Black Music Research, Columbia College. ISBN 0520210484.

[edit] External links

• Race music article
• Race records page
• Race records page

[edit] Listening

• NPR story about race records