“What was it called back then :)”
Depends on how far you go back. In the 40’s it was called ‘sepia’ or ‘race’ music. It was written on the record label. In the 50s up to current days it is R’n’B. A NYC DJ, Gus Gossert had an ‘oldies’ radio program in the mid-70’s and called the music DOOWOP based upon back ground harmonies. Hope this helps.
Yes, that helps. And I’m thinking it would be Blues and Jazz before that. I’ve heard that Benny Goodman was the first white band leader to hire black musicians.