Motown was more than just music.

It created a whole new vibe among every race that

allowed a connection to take place. Motown, a big record company in the music industry, also

helped improve the reputation of the African-American race. It impacted society during the

1960s when Civil Rights movement was occurring in the U.S. Its music allowed Motown’s

growth, economically and influentially. Motown music affected Civil Rights by creating a positive

image for the African-Americans, utilizing Civil Rights themes in songs, and Motown’s

economical increase as it progressed throughout time.

Motown music impacted Civil Rights in the U.S. since the creation of a good reputation

for African-Americans. Gordy wanted to change the perspective of others towards African-

Americans in order to make peace within all races. According to The Manchester Historian,

Holly Donald claims “Gordy’s main ambition was to produce ‘Sound of young America’ no

matter what color.” This quote proves that Gordy’s main goal was to unite all races with the

power of music. Thus, redefining how African-Americans were perceived and created a bond

within all races. At the same time, Motown music was able to create a positive image for the

African-Americans by providing songs that were heard among all races. The label’s goal was to

have African-Americans seen beyond their skin color and remain well known for their

accomplishments. According to Motown Museum, they point out “Regardless of race or social

background, teenage girls admired Diana Ross and teenage boys pretended to be Smokey

Robinson.” This quote suggests that several teenagers looked up to Motown artists for their

talent and not their race and pushing aside the mentality society had at the time. Motown music

fulfilled their goal which was to connect all

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races as the record company became more recognized and praise for their work and progress.
 Motown heavily influenced Civil Rights during the 1960s in the U.S. Motown was

able to become a big record company and influenced the nation, musically wise and in the Civil

Rights Movement. Motown Museum’s “The Sound That Changed America” states “With more

than 180 number 1 hit songs worldwide and counting, that influence is still being felt today, from

pop to hip-hop.” This quote acknowledges the fact that Motown was able to spread its talent and

meaningful purpose throughout the world and still affects us today. The power of Motown’s

music was felt among all races, which leads to another reason on how it created the ideal side

of African-Americans. Motown songs were able to break boundaries everywhere since people

were seeing the reality of how much potential and capability African-Americans had as any

other race would. Holly Donald points out “It was the ability to transcend racial boundaries that

highlighted the label as so revolutionary.” (The Manchester Historian). Motown music was

capable of destroying the stereotypes that came from being African-American. Not to mention

Motown changed society by creating a different perspective of being other than white, meaning

that it wasn’t uncanny to belong in a different race since everyone is able to change the world.

Another reason on how Motown music was able to impact the Civil Rights movement is

by using Civil Rights themes throughout their songs. Several famous artists interpreted songs

that provided Civil Rights themes that would spread a message for change. According to Holly

Donald, she states “Aretha Franklin’s ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T’ echoed a vital Civil Rights demand.” (The

Manchester Historian). This quote proves that Motown records were wanting to draw attention

to

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racial issues occurring in the U.S. and acts that were unjustified. Utilizing Civil Rights themes in

Motown’s music affected the U.S. by providing the voice for the people that weren’t able to be

heard but definitely wanted to speak up to and had the reason to. Motown wanted the minority

to be heard in order to have equal rights. According to Rhythm Ride: A road trip through the

Motown Sound” Davis Pinkley mentions that Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” included an

increasingly politicized influence. The people wanted to have their issues brought to the

attention in order to resolve what is being unjust. Motown music provided a voice for African-

Americans and brilliantly bring up racial inequalities in their songs.

Motown artists created and covered songs that would create a political mindset in their

music. One of the songs that did the job was “Abraham, Martin, and John” by Dion, covered by

Marvin Gaye. According to Living Lincoln, it is stated “the song itself reflects not only his inner

shift of mentality but also the social drift that was occurring internally and externally in the ‘black

protest of African Americans and the resistance within the community.’” This quote shows that

Marvin Gaye covered this song in order to express and communicate what the society from then

was facing during the segregation era. In addition, the song “mourned” the assassination of Civil

Rights leaders. By the same token, there were other songs based on the Civil Right movement.

One of those songs were written and performed by the Temptations in which they refer to being

of color during the 1960s in which discrimination was at its peak. The Temptations created a

song called “Message From A Black Man” where the lyrics come as “This is a message to ya’ll.

Together we stand, divided we fall. Black is a color just like white. Tell me how color determines

whether you’re wrong or right.” The lyrics to “Message From A Black Man” by the Temptations

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acknowledges how much unacceptable discrimination was occurring then and showing the

disapproval of African-Americans. Luckily, Motown music was able to point out the flaws in
society and therefore contributed to the Civil Rights movement which then gave a proper voice

to people of color.

Motown music’s artists have accumulated plenty of money throughout the years. Every

individual singer-songwriter have been able to successfully produce music and sell around the

world including new artists of today. One of the most influential artist of today is Bruno Mars,

who had been signed in Motown records and manages to succeed. The Richest reports that

Bruno Mars’ estimated net worth is of $105 Million. The evidence proves that Motown artists are

still growing financially and continue influencing today’s music. Another artist that still continues

to rapidly make money and progress during his solo career was Michael Jackson. Michael

Jackson made a fortune and had acquired great recognition from his early career up to his

death. According to Forbes, Greenburg argues “Jackson’s payday- the largest annual gain for

an entertainer, living or dead- comes courtesy of the $750 million sale of his half of the

Sony/ATV publishing catalogue.” Greenburg’s purpose of this quote is to state that Michael

Jackson was able to make more money than most artists are able to and continue to do so after

his death. Therefore, Motown’s economical success continues to be seen even after many

years.

Motown produced a lot of money which led to its success. The record started out as a

small business that only had few money invested. According to Motown Museum it states “Berry

Gordy founded his company with a loan of $800 from his family.” This quote shows how much

Gordy has progressed since the beginning of Motown, considering there are many big artists in

the record label that have proven to make hits in the music industry. Furthermore, Motown’s

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founder, Berry Gordy, has an impressive net worth today. Gordy had an enormous boost with

the help of all the talented artists in the Motown label. According to Atlanta Black Star, Leo
states “Berry Gordy has amassed a fortune of $345 million…” This quote proves how much

Gordy has been able to grow economically and continue to grow as Motown music triumph in

the music business. It’s clear that the record label was able to be prosperous since its start.

Motown continues to impact today’s society, which was the label’s purpose since its start

during the Civil Rights movement era. There are other several Motown artists that continue to

be successful even after their “prime”. According to Richest Celebrities, Lionel Richie is worth

approximately $200 million (2016-2017). This evidence endorses the fact that Richie, being part

of Motown records, contributed to their growth. Moreover, many other Motown singer-

songwriters assisted toward Motown’s growth. One of the massive artists is Diana Ross,

another important singer-songwriter from the label. According to The Richest, Diana is worth

approximately $250 million. This evidence admits that legendary celebrities from Motown

records produced a great amount of money during the segregation era and still do today.

Motown’s financial growth makes a statement over how all races are capable of being

successful and influence the world in order to create a peaceful environment between people.

Motown impacted Civil Rights in the U.S. by building a good reputation for the African-

Americans, included Civil Rights themes in songs/covers, and the label grew economically

regardless of what era they were in. The African-Americans created a positive image since

Motown music was heard among all races. Their songs included Civil Rights based songs that

pointed out the flaws of the society from then. The economic growth of Motown made a

statement over how much the record label kept growing even up to this day without having to

judge by someone’s race and instead focused on their profession and their attempts to assist to

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making the world a better place. Motown was able to become more than just music since it

broke all of society’s boundaries.