Who Was In The Harlem Renaissance. Duke ellington in particular gained popularity during the harlem renaissance. It became a blueprint from which today’s black creatives, knowingly or not, build on.

The harlem renaissance brought along a new creative energy for african american literature. The harlem renaissance, then, was an african american literary and artistic movement anchored in harlem, but drawing from, extending to, and influencing african american communities across the country and beyond. Its popularity soon spread throughout the country.