One Nation Under a Groove: NMAAM Brings Life to Downtown Nashville

Story and Photos By Lauren Means

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) opened in Nashville in January 2021. It’s the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the music industry. The museum has a collection of over 1,600 artifacts that document the rich history of African American music from its African roots to the present day.

The current featured exhibit, “This Is Hip Hop,” is a yearlong exhibit featuring the work of four renowned photographers who have documented hip-hop artists and culture throughout the decades. The exhibit aligns with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music and artists being celebrated this year. The first featured photographer is Raymond Boyd. Boyd has had the opportunity to photograph many artists through the years including Run DMC, Queen Latifah, Da Brat, and Salt-N-Pepa. He has even had the honor of photographing other notable figures in history including former President Barack Obama. The exhibit will be refreshed each quarter featuring a different photographer.

The idea for the NMAAM was first proposed in the 1970s by members of the National Association of Negro Musicians. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that serious efforts were made to establish the museum. A group of music industry professionals and community leaders formed the NMAAM Foundation in 2002 to raise funds and awareness for the project. In 2013, the foundation acquired a site in downtown Nashville for the museum.

The NMAAM is housed in a 56,000-square-foot building that was designed by Phil Freelon, who also designed the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The museum features interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and a state-of-the-art sound system that allows visitors to hear and experience the music in an immersive way.

One of the unique features of the NMAAM is its emphasis on the roots of African American music. The museum has a section on the music of West and Central Africa, which explores the rhythms, instruments, and cultural practices that influenced the music of African Americans. The exhibit includes a replica of a West African village and interactive displays that allow visitors to play traditional African instruments.

The museum also highlights the contributions of African Americans to various genres of music, including blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and more. The exhibits feature artifacts such as instruments, costumes, and handwritten lyrics from legendary artists like B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, and Jimi Hendrix. The museum also has a section on the history of black radio, which played a crucial role in promoting African American music and culture during the era of segregation.

The NMAAM also explores the social and cultural context in which African American music was created. The museum has exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement, which had a profound impact on the music of the era, and the Black Lives Matter movement, which continues to inspire and influence artists today. The museum highlights the role of women in African American music, including pioneering artists like Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

In addition to its exhibits, the NMAAM has a robust calendar of events and programming, including concerts, lectures, and workshops. The museum offers educational programs for students and teachers such as virtual field trips and curriculum resources.

The NMAAM was named one of Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places in 2020 and has received accolades from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other major media outlets.

The NMAAM has had a significant impact on the city of Nashville. The museum has attracted visitors from all over the world and has helped to revitalize the downtown area. The museum created jobs and economic opportunities for local residents and has become a source of pride and inspiration for the community.

To find out more about the NMAAM and their upcoming exhibits and events, visit https://www.nmaam.org/.