Black and white image of James Brown combing his hair in a grey suit and black tie.
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All Music Is Black Music

A podcast inspired by objects from the museum's collection
Communicator Award of Excellence logo Davey Award 2023 Silver Vega Award logo Davey Award 2023 Anthem Award 2024

All Music Is Black Music, hosted by Selema Masekela, explores how African American music and culture play a central role in the history of American music as told to listeners through artifacts from the museum's collection. 

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Coco Jones attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix's "You People" at Regency Village Theatre on January 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 

Pop Music As Black Music with Coco Jones

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis attends Celebrating Greatness: Canada’s Walk of Fame 2022 at Beanfield Centre, Exhibition Place on December 03, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.

Live at the Museum with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Mahalia Jackson performing on stage.

Gospel According to Mahalia Jackson

Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane arrived at Schiphol Airport on October 26, 1963.

The Coltrane to Psychedelia with Nels Cline

D-Nice attends the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy Party at Hollywood Athletic Club on February 02, 2023 in Hollywood, California. 

Crushing Tables and Ceilings with D-Nice

Photo of Nina Simone performing, circa 1960.

Classically Nina Simone with Regina Spektor

Actor/rapper Andre (Andre 3000) Benjamin of Outkast appears onstage during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on August 22, 2006 in New York City.

The Year André 3000 with Vic Mensa

Jimi Hendrix is regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.

Guitar Gods with St. Vincent

Ne-Yo attends the red carpet premiere of "The Sounds of Christmas" at Regal Atlantic Station on November 15, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Country Stories with Ne-Yo

Imagination is the key to my lyrics. The rest is painted with a little science fiction. Jimi Hendrix American Guitarist

 

Multli-color book cover that reads the book title "Musical Crossroads"

Musical Crossroads

Drawing upon objects in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture’s permanent collection and featuring many of the objects on display in the award-winning exhibition of the same name, the publication explores how objects expand our understanding of the culture of African American music-making and the foundation it has built in the United States and around the world.
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This photograph features Chuck Berry’s candy apple red, 1973 convertible Cadillac El Dorado. This automobile is featured in the Musical Crossroads exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Expanding the Definition of African American Music

Musical Crossroads exhibition tells the story of African American music from the arrival of the first Africans to the present day.

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