African Americans and Metal?

Hello there. I'm black, and I listen to metal.

I'd first like to start off by saying that one of the main reasons a lot of black people don't listen to metal would be that quite a few black families are heavily religious, and thus, view metal as "satanic" and "evil" by default. Plus, a lot of us simply didn't have any exposure to it (or rock for that matter), so in turn, many think of it as a compilation of unnecessary noise and screams that only goths and rebels listen to. Metal is misunderstood by the majority of the population, but it's even more so in the black community, where a lot of people grow up listening to r&b, funk, hip hop, etc.

As for being the only black person at a show, I think it's silly to not want to go to something for that reason (unless there's an NSBM band or something playing). But, then again, I'm used to being the only black person in most things already, being that my city's population is less that 4% black.

Bands that have black members? I can only think of a few off the top of my head, but most of them aren't that great.

-God Forbid

-Straight Line Stitch

-Living Colour

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RE:

African Americans and Metal?

Ever notice that there are not very many African Americans who are into Metal? I am just curious as to what everyones theories are on this, why do you think this is so, and please explain? I would exspecially like to hear from African Americans on this subject.

Just the other day I went to a...

It might just have been the music he was surrounded by most of his life. I'm not african american, but i grew up listening to rap/reggae... and later on when i realized it was okay to stretch away from my comfort zone, i began listening to other things. I wouldn't consider these hard core metal, but heres a few bands with african american members:

Sevendust

Bionic Jive (some rap)

Killswitch Engage

Skindred

Gym Class Heroes (Majority rap, but meh)

Straight Line Stitch

Howard Jones Adam Warren Benji Webbe Tosin Abasi Derrick Green Most notable ones anyway.

first let me say this is not a racist comment, but most african americans, either by taste or peer pressure, are more prone to listen to rap and hiphop. but there are metal bands that have african american members, even singers!

Rage Against The Machine

Skindred

Actually, I think this boils to how white and black folks "listen" to music. Black people tend towards bass heavy music, a driving rhythm. Whites tend to like music more in the other direction. Rock in general is not bass heavy, it is very much guitar and key board. Where as Hip Hop, soul and the funk are very rhythm section driven music.

One of my friends is big into Journey and Toto. But he would never go see them. He is afraid to be the only brother there. And I don't know why that is a problem. When music is one of the few things we all seem to dig together. Black, white, green, magenta, whatever, music is a force that brings people together.

Luke is right!!! I was overly generalizing. A lot of rock isn't real "Danceable" I think is what I probably should have emphasized!

I'm Black, listen to Metal, but you notice why arent there many PEOPLE into Metal in general?

It's funny that Forsaken mentions bass and rhythm, because Meshuggah is almost entirely bass and rhythm and nothing else.