Modern Day Race Records

Race records were records made by African Americans for African Americans. They became popular quickly because of how well they did with the African American populations. This was probably because the black market was untapped. Although the United States is still very much black and white culturally, race records do not exist any longer. So would argue that hip hop is the modern day race record. But that’s not event remotely true. Over 70 percent of the hip hop music that is purchased is by white America.

The real new race records are club records.

Over the last couple of years people have complained about the water down of popular music because of how A&R are making artist make music for clubs. Also the technological explosion of cell phones has created ringtone music. Thus the birth of artist like Soulja Boy and Flo-Rida, who make records specifically for the ringtones and clubs. Soulja Boy’s Crank That song sold millions of ringtones. It actually has the record for most ringtones sold. Just like race records these songs are targeted for a specific group. What will be the new race record once the ringtone era ends?