Why has music been of continual importance to african american culture?

The history of music in the black American community has very much been about unity and emancipation. In early American history, African Americans would often sing "slave songs" about their freedom and emancipation. Further down the line, gospel stemmed from those slave songs but put more emphasis on God. Jazz was about the growth and artistic integrity of black people especially in Harlem. Hip-hop and R&B tell stories and struggles of the African American journey. Long story short, Music has been of continual importance to African Americans because it united black people and told the story of Black American struggle throughout American history.