Motown

When it comes to think about Motown, you can easily imagine the number of great artists such as Jackson 5, Michael  Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Boys II Men, The Martha & Vandellas, etc. Motown sound is still loved today.

The history of Motown all started in the late 50’s Detroit. The history of Motown is reflecting a social situation back then.

Black music used to be treated as “race records” in the market in the 1920’s.

Around 1958 Jazz music was thriving in Detroit and best artists were gathered. There was still a line in terms of racial obstacles in the music industry. As Motown came out in the music industry, the situation changed greatly. The founder of Motown is Berry Gordy Jr. He founded Motown in Detroit n 1958 with an $800 loan from his family. His goal was to unite what was considered to be music for Blacks, and music that was traditionally associated with Whites. It didn’t take long until Motown’s soul music conquered America and the world. It’s a remarkable fact that the record company founded by a Black had a great success just in a decade.

What is called “Motown sound” has the roots in funk, jazz, blues, gospel music, basically black music. One of the important elements of Motown sound is The Funk Brothers. It’s a nickname of session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown Records recordings from 1959 to 1972.

Motown sound still has big influence on today’s musicians such as Mariah Carey, Amy Winehouse, Duffy, etc and many Motown songs are often covered.

In 2011, Motown has been reactivated under The Island Def Jam Music Group division of Universal Music Group.