Los Angeles 1980s overview

In the immediate post-World War II period, Los Angeles had a strong, distinctive black music industry. Yet, as the city grew in importance as a music centre, the business became increasingly dominated by whites. Even the city’s notable jazz scene was overwhelmingly white. In the 1980s, however, Los Angeles again developed a vital black music business—arguably as a result of the growing confidence of the black middle class and in response to the period’s booming...