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How did talking blues songs help influence folk music and hip-hop?
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blues
Bessie Smith, photograph by Carl Van Vechten, 1936.
Talking blues songs, which emerged in the 1920s, serve as a significant musical precursor to both folk music and hip-hop.1
In the mid-20th century, the talking blues style influenced prominent folk artists such as Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, who utilized the form's narrative approach to songcraft. Regarding hip-hop, talking blues is recognized as a foundational influence on the development of rapping and MCing. This connection highlights the enduring legacy of blues as a fundamental genre that continues to shape modern musical expression.12