Black banjo players are reclaiming and revitalizing the instrument's African American heritage, which dates back centuries to West African origins before being largely abandoned during the Harlem Renaissance. A pivotal 2005 Black Banjo Gathering at Appalachian State University sparked a modern renaissance, with musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons bringing global attention to the tradition through groups like Carolina Chocolate Drops and high-profile collaborations such as Beyoncé's 2024 song Texas Hold 'Em.