Music has been a form of communication since the beginning time. During the days of slavery songs helped them to escape. For Africans wanting to escape slavery, their songs were used as a map to freedom, especially during the 1400’s through the mid 1800’s, as this was the period of slave trading in the United States. These freedom songs continued until 1836 when slavery was historically abolished. Due to the fact that slaves were not allowed to be educated nor were they allowed to read, they used the slave songs because the songs served so many purposes including that of expressing emotions. The old Negro spirituals were also a part of the underground railroads with individuals like William Still an African-American abolitionist from Philadelphia along with Harriett Tubman who were major conductors on the Underground Railroad. Songs like “Go Down Moses” was one of the many songs they sang. There were songs of communication which was used among the slaves “Steal away to Jesus” and “Wade in the Water”. These songs were used as an escape map. Kendrick Lamar songs on his To Pimp a Butterfly album reflect the past, present and the future. The past as noted in his lyrics are related to William T. Sherman's Field Order No. 15, which set aside 400,000 acres of land confiscated from slaveholders in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida for settlement by African Americans which described by Kendrick Lamar as the elusive 40 acres and a mule states “I need 40 acers and a mule….not a 40 ounce and a pit pull”. Freedom or the lack of it from the past to present day. Then came the era of Ragtime music and Minstrel shows, which introduced Scott Joplin some say he was the “king of ragtime writers”. The original writer of “The Entertainer” score. Minstrel shows were around for about 100 years. When we reached the end of slavery which was abolished historically in 1836. Music expression was based on the climate in America. The black minstrel shows were designed to make fun of the black man some of the more popular shows portrayed the black man in a comedic role which is still evident today. The Vaudeville shows or variety shows were extremely popular in the south. Religion played a major role in the black community, but unfortunately religion preached of the life to come while the blues preached the here and now. During the 1950’s which evolved around the great migration. This was a time when 6 million Black people moved out of the south between 1910 and 1970 to pursue a better life for them and their families. Music continue its transformation during the 1940’s and 1950’s the blue consist of Muddy Waters and W.C. Handy who some say was the father of the blues.