Are blackness and whiteness useful concepts in the study of popular music?

The concept of black and white music is a very complicated area of study within popular music and there is no definite answer. Is there such a thing as black music? is it a particular genre or style which categorizes it as being black? is it because the majority of those who listen to it are black? these are all questions which to think about when discussing such a vast topic as this. Black music was formally known as 'race' music and it constituted a large ethnic minority of the United States. When l think about black music l do think there are several common features such as a call and response, blue notes, rhythm, harmony etc. Hip Hop and R n B is predominantly seen as black music. Artists such as R Kelly and Mary J Bilge popularized this fusion known as hip hop soul. Rap is another example of what some would consider to be black music. The whole concept of the 'gangster rap' became a major part of American music. Although it is seen as a black mans song (them rapping about their struggles and so on) there are nowadays white men who have succeeded tremendously in this particular genre. When talking about white music, what l personally associate white music, is with Country, folk and classical music. Not so much as in the performers but in the composers, where the majority are white. This is a complicated topic in the study of popular music and l do think its useful and it helps us understand the origins of particular styles of music and who we associate this music with, whether they are white or black.