Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Bassist Melvin Gibbs to Release Book on Black Music's Impact

4/7/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Melvin Gibbs, a bassist, discovered Fela Kuti's music in the 1970s while walking in Brooklyn's Prospect Lefferts Gardens, sparking his lifelong study of music's roots and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Gibbs will publish book How Black Music Took Over the World on April 14, detailing his findings.
He has pursued projects that blend jazz, funk, and rock.
His move to writing followed industry challenges, including file-sharing and the 2020 pandemic.

1 of 1

Story summary

Melvin Gibbs, a bassist, discovered Fela Kuti's music in the 1970s while walking in Brooklyn's Prospect Lefferts Gardens, sparking his lifelong study of music's roots and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Gibbs will publish book How Black Music Took Over the World on April 14, detailing his findings.
He has pursued projects that blend jazz, funk, and rock.
His move to writing followed industry challenges, including file-sharing and the 2020 pandemic.