An historical overview of African and Afro-American music, from the foundations in sub-Saharan African music to the music of the 1980s, is presented in this paper as evidence that Afro-American music is closely intertwined with ethnic identification and follows the direction of Afro-American sociopolitical change. Slave and folk music, minstrel shows, the blues, jazz, rock, soul, and disco are among the musical forms discussed. It is argued that the combination of three main musical forms (folk, popular, and classical) has provided the foundation for all subsequent variations. Black music retains the polyrhythmic, polyphonic, improvisatory nature of its African foundation and was carried in the "ethnic baggage" that the African slaves brought to America. Although styles, and occasionally structure, have changed since slavery and continue to do so, the basics still apply, however subtly. African music is part of the "race memory" of Afro-Americans and presents itself in contemporary black American music whether or not blacks are aware of it. The history of Afro-American music parallels the history of African people in America. (KH)