About this experience
At NMAAM, you can discover the importance of African American music in shaping the American soundscape. Begin your visit in the Roots Theater and learn about West and Central African culture, the institution of slavery, and the evolution of a distinctly African American culture that had its own unique musical traditions.
Next up, charter the entire chronology of African American music at the River of Rhythms Pathways. Animated interactive touch panels will showcase the beginnings of musical traditions to the present day, covering southern gospel and blues to contemporary R&B and hip-hop.
The remaining five exhibits take a deeper dive into moments in history and how they helped to shape the music and stars that came out of them. Inside these galleries, you’ll be able to see instruments, stage costumes, sheet music, and more. Key moments and movements include the Harlem Renaissance, jazz, and post-war R&B.
