African American music has been an amazing cultural achievement, synthesizing African and European culture, often under extreme circumstances. Throughout its history, the music has rewarded its creators, but has rewarded those who borrowed from it and translated it to mainstream society far more, at least from a financial point of view. By the time rap came to the fore, the era of white performers gaining the most prominence was over, and the African Americans who created the music were recognized in the mainstream media and society. Still, complaints about musical separation continue. As late as 2003, one anonymous source explained: “the music is shared freely between races and cultures and is the great equalizer. But the music business is still separate and...