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What is the most unexpected cultural influence of folklore that you have come across?

Virgel Slimings

For me, the most unexpected cultural influence of folklore that I have come across has been the impact of African storytelling traditions on contemporary American music.

When African people were brought over to the United States as slaves, they brought with them a rich oral tradition of storytelling, which was passed down from generation to generation. These stories were often told in the form of songs, and featured vivid imagery and poetic language, as well as important messages about community, culture, and history.

Over time, these African storytelling traditions fused with the musical traditions of European settlers in the United States, giving rise to a whole new genre of music that we now know as the blues. The blues, with its raw emotions and powerful lyrics, served as a platform for African American artists to tell their stories, express their struggles and triumphs, and connect with audiences in a deep and meaningful way.

As the blues evolved and gave rise to other forms of American music, such as jazz, rock and roll, and hip hop, the influence of African storytelling traditions continued to be felt. Even today, many contemporary American musicians draw on the techniques and themes of African storytelling in their lyrics and performance styles.

Take, for example, Beyoncé's highly acclaimed visual album Lemonade. The album, which tells the story of a Black woman's journey through grief, betrayal, and self-discovery, draws heavily on African storytelling techniques, such as call and response, repetition, and metaphor. The album's visuals, which feature striking imagery and vibrant colors, also draw inspiration from African art and fashion.

Similarly, Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly draws on African storytelling traditions to tell the story of a Black man's struggle to find his voice in a society that systematically oppresses him. The album's lyrics are powerful and thought-provoking, and touch on themes such as police brutality, self-love, and cultural identity.

In both of these examples, we can see how African storytelling traditions have been adopted and adapted by contemporary American musicians to create works that are both deeply personal and culturally significant. This is just one example of how folklore can influence and inspire modern culture, and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural traditions.