Are blackness and whiteness useful concepts in the study of popular music?

People have always felt the need to categorise different styles and genres of music into ‘black’ or ‘white’. In order to seperate the two, the origins of the particular music is sometimes looked at. But is this neccessary? Racial classification is a very subjective notion, however it could be said that their is no racial essence that makes anything or anyone ‘black’ or ‘white’, including music. We should put our focus into how music is understood, and try and assess the social uses to which the music is put. It is important to understand the concept that music has provided a cultural space for people who hadn’t had one before, for example blue’s music. If we take Blue’s as an example, it could be necessary to look at it as ‘black’ music as the songs often engage about issues that effected their pasts such as racial segregation and slavery. Most white people wouldn’t relate to this.
In conclusion I believe that the concepts of blackness and whiteness are not always needed but can sometimes be useful.

Hi Lee, I thought this posted a couple of weeks ago, but obviously it didn't! Just noticed before I was posting my next blog. I hope this isn't a problem.