In numerous African songs, such as Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata, King Sunny Ade's Esubiri Ebo Mi, Ismaël Lô's Dibi Dibi Rek, the Kawere Boys' Sara Serina, and many others, an essential musical style that dominates is the Call-and-Response. This style is prevalent across diverse African musical genres.

What is meant by the Call-and-Response style in African music?

Call-and-response is a common melodic characteristic of African music, where a performer known as the leader initiates (sings or plays) a phrase (call), and the rest of the group responds with a complementary phrase (response). The composition of a call-and-response can be said to be a musical dialogue or conversation that helps foster a connection with the listeners or audience.

In various African cultures, the call-and-response style plays a vital role in the different musical traditions - traditional or contemporary. Music is deeply rooted in almost every aspect of African societies, from pivotal life events such as births and weddings to other communal entertainment, religious rites, and even occupation. Within these musical contexts, call-and-response styles are frequently employed, adding depth and significance to the songs and performances.

Also, the call-and-response in African music is often accompanied by specific dance steps or foot movements.

This symbolic element of African music is further characterized by improvisation and spontaneity. While the response part of the music pattern usually remains constant and repetitive, the responding group always has the power to add their creative touch. This improvisational aspect helps keep the music fresh and engaging and allows a creative interplay between the leader and the responding group.

In African music, the call-and-response structure encourages audience participation and engagement. For instance, before the establishment of the choir deacon programs in Coptic music, the response segment in Coptic music was reserved for the congregation. This made the audience active participants, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience.

African choral singing styles, such as those found in genres like Isicathamiya and Coptic music and in groups like the Ndlovu Youth Choir, Soweto Gospel Choir, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, often use call-and-response. This singing style is common in spiritual, solemn, and celebratory songs, with the leader and choir taking turns singing different parts throughout the song.

This back-and-forth musical interaction is also prevalent in many African drumming traditions. These drumming performances are usually broken into a call-and-response setting. The master drummer sets a pattern, and the accompanying drummer responds with either the same or a different pattern.

In oral traditions in Africa, call-and-response is usually incorporated. Griots would recite historical tales, with the audience responding at key moments with phrases of agreement and participation while engaging the audience.

In contemporary pop music, many genres often incorporate call-and-response patterns. The lead vocalist or instrumentalist initiates a line, and the backing vocalists or instrumentalists respond with a complementary phrase, creating a groovy interplay. Highlife is one genre that uses this style, both in its instrumentation and vocalization. Other genres, such as Afrobeat, Hiplife, Afrobeats, Benga, Fula music, Soukous, Juju, Fuji, Ogene, Tigre music, gospel, and many others, also employ this technique.

Additionally, the call-and-response pattern has had a significant impact on various musical genres, especially those rooted in African musical traditions carried across the ocean during the transatlantic slave trade.  Jazz music, for instance, draws heavily from the call-and-response tradition, with its emphasis on improvisation. The interplay between the sax soloist and the accompanying band members is a fundamental aspect of jazz performances. Other genres influenced by call-and-response include blues, rock 'n' roll, funk, and Western classical music, which utilizes a technique called antiphony.

The call-and-response style offers several benefits that contribute to the cultural fabric of communities. It achieves this through active community and audience engagement, easy music learning, and quick familiarity with song phrases so new members can catch up following the group's repetitive response. It also strengthens social bonds within the community, teaches cultural values in traditional settings, and serves as a form of collective expression.

The cover image for the Call and Response: the heartbeat of African Music blogpost.

Call and Response: The Heartbeat of African Music

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