Race records
by vicky pham
Race Records were phonograph records made especially for African American consumers from 1921 to
1942. They contain a variety of African American music like the blus, jazz, and gospel music. Comedy
recordings were also produced too. The majority of commercial recordings in the U.S were African
American Singer. Race Records were marketed by many famous companies like the Okeh Records, the
Emerson Records, The Vocalion Records, the Victor Talking Machine Company, the Paramount Records,
and several other companies. During that time, records was a huge deal. Despite the popularity of
African-American bands and musicians, record producers felt that white audiences would want to buy
jazz recordings that were made by white musicians rather than buying music that were made by African
Americans, but later, they found out that tons of people started to buy African American music. Soon,
these race records intended for the African American Community expanded beyond. Record Companies
were so excited to increase their markets, and even made some nonmusical recordings like recorded
sermons, gospel music, spirituals, and comedy routines. In 1929, the industry nearly collapsed with the
onset of the Great Depression. The Stock Market Crash brought the Jazz Age to an end. After selling
more than 100 million records a year in the mid-1920s, record company sales dropped to six million.
Okeh, Gennett and Paramount Records all when out of business.