by Dominique Lambright
Music has always been at the heart of Black culture—a tool for storytelling, healing, resistance, and celebration. Whether through gospel’s soul-stirring harmonies, jazz’s improvisational brilliance, hip-hop’s rhythmic storytelling, or African drumming’s communal power, music connects deeply to the Black experience.
Beyond its cultural and emotional significance, music offers powerful cognitive and neurological benefits. Engaging with music—through listening, singing, playing instruments, or dancing—can enhance memory, improve mental well-being, reduce stress, and even protect against cognitive decline. Given the unique health disparities Black people face, including higher rates of Alzheimer’s, stroke, and stress-related illnesses, incorporating music into daily life can be a powerful and accessible tool for brain health.
How Beats and Rhythms Improve Memory
Music is more than sound—it’s a neurological workout. The brain loves patterns, and the rhythmic elements in music help strengthen memory and cognitive flexibility.
Memory Enhancement: How Music Helps Recall Information
- Rhythmic beats reinforce memory pathways, making it easier to store and retrieve information.
- Songs and melodies help encode memories, which is why people can recall lyrics from decades ago but forget what they ate yesterday.
- Studies show that people who listen to or play music regularly have better memory recall than those who don’t.
Research from Johns Hopkins University found that music activates multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, enhancing long-term memory storage.
If you’re studying or trying to retain information, listen to instrumental jazz, classical, or lo-fi hip-hop beats to boost focus.
Cognitive Flexibility: Training the Brain to Adapt
Music forces the brain to process multiple elements simultaneously, such as:
- Rhythm & beat
- Melody & pitch
- Lyrics & meaning
Participating in rhythmic activities like drumming or dancing enhances cognitive flexibility—the brain’s ability to adapt to new situations, think creatively, and problem-solve.
A study in The Journal of Neuroscience found that people who engage in rhythmic activities (drumming, stepping, rapping) show stronger connections between the left and right brain hemispheres, improving mental agility and reaction time.
Try drumming, stepping, or freestyling to sharpen cognitive flexibility.
The Healing Power of Gospel, Jazz, and African Drumming
Black music has been a source of healing, spiritual renewal, and emotional release for centuries. Beyond its cultural depth, scientific research confirms that these genres have specific brain-boosting benefits.
Gospel Music: Lifting the Spirit and the Mind
- Reduces stress & anxiety – Gospel’s uplifting melodies and lyrics stimulate the release of dopamine and serotonin, which regulate mood.
- Fosters a sense of connection – Singing in church choirs or spiritual gatherings boosts brain function and emotional well-being.
- Encourages deep breathing & mindfulness – Gospel singing, particularly call-and-response songs, promotes controlled breathing, which reduces cortisol (the stress hormone).
A study in the Psychology of Music found that listening to gospel music significantly reduced blood pressure and stress levels in Black participants.
Create a gospel playlist for stressful moments—it’s scientifically proven to lift your mood and ease anxiety.
Jazz: A Mental Gym for Creativity
- Enhances brain connectivity – Jazz activates multiple brain regions simultaneously, improving problem-solving skills.
- Encourages creative thinking – Improvisation strengthens neural pathways for spontaneity and flexibility.
- Supports cognitive resilience – Listening to jazz has been linked to lower risks of dementia and cognitive decline.
Researchers at Baycrest Health Sciences found that improvisational jazz engages the prefrontal cortex, helping musicians and listeners develop better decision-making and adaptability skills.
If you want to stimulate your brain, listen to John Coltrane, Miles Davis, or Thelonious Monk and try predicting where the music will go next.
African Drumming: Connecting Rhythm and the Brain
- Promotes social bonding – Drumming in a group releases oxytocin, strengthening community ties.
- Reduces stress and trauma – Studies show that drumming helps release pent-up emotions and lowers cortisol levels.
- Boosts focus and attention – The rhythmic nature of drumming trains the brain to concentrate and stay present.
A study in The Journal of Music Therapy found that African drumming significantly lowered anxiety and improved cognitive function in individuals with PTSD.
Join a community drumming circle or follow YouTube drumming exercises to improve focus and stress relief.
How Playing Instruments and Listening to Music Sharpens the Mind
Engaging in music actively—not just passively listening—creates lasting brain benefits.
Neural Activation: Strengthening Brain Pathways
- Playing an instrument activates multiple brain regions – Coordination, memory, and emotion processing work together.
- Strengthens hand-eye coordination – Instruments like the piano, guitar, and drums enhance motor skills.
- Boosts problem-solving skills – Reading and interpreting music requires quick thinking and adaptability.
A Harvard Medical School study found that musicians have stronger brain connectivity, particularly in areas responsible for memory and executive function.
Learning an instrument at any age can enhance brain function—it’s never too late to start!
The Science Behind Music and Cognitive Function
Neuroscientists have confirmed that music is a powerful tool for brain health.
- Neuroplasticity: Music strengthens brain connections, helping the brain rewire itself—crucial for learning and brain injury recovery.
- Stress Reduction: Listening to music lowers cortisol, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Cognitive Rehabilitation: Music therapy helps people recover speech and motor function after strokes.
In his book “Music as Medicine”, Daniel Levitin explores the profound impact music has on human health, emphasizing its potential to alleviate and palliate various conditions. He explains that music activates multiple brain areas and can strengthen neural pathways, potentially delaying the symptoms of dementia.
Music is Medicine for the Black Brain
Music isn’t just entertainment—it’s medicine for the mind. From gospel to jazz to drumming, Black musical traditions offer powerful cognitive and emotional benefits.
Why Black People Should Use Music for Brain Health:
- Boosts memory and mental agility – Rhythms strengthen neural connections.
- Reduces stress and anxiety – Gospel and drumming lower cortisol levels.
- Encourages creativity and adaptability – Jazz and improvisation stimulate brain function.
Enhances focus, problem-solving, and coordination – Playing instruments strengthens neural pathways.
Music is one of the most powerful, accessible, and culturally rooted ways for Black people to protect their brain health and mental well-being, whether through listening, singing, dancing, or playing an instrument.
Turn up the volume—your brain will thank you.
