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

'Blackness' and 'whiteness' are useful concepts when looking at the origins of the now fusioned culture of music such as RnB, Rock n Roll, Bhangra etc.

However, this concept of 'blackness' and 'whiteness' is not useful in society now. This concept is more relevant with the society and environment you're associated with. The concept of 'blackness' and 'whiteness' were more relevant in the early 1900s when society had very strong racial opinions. An example of this in the music industry are music created by black artists who only when covered by white artists did they become successful. However, in the society we live in today, blackness and whiteness concepts are quite irrelevant. As races have fusioned and different cultures have immigrated out of their origins, popular music has more relevance with society and environment rather than race.