The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in downtown Nashville is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced and inspired by African Americans.
BMM x NMAAM Virtual Tour with Shannon Sanders
The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tennessee.
A Celebration of African American Musical Heritage
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to preserving African American music traditions and celebrating the central role African Americans have played in shaping American music. The museum officially opens to the public on Jan. 30. Museum members will have the opportunity to tour the museum during Members Preview Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 23, and Sunday, Jan. 24, and the museum will open to the public the following weekend, on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. The museum, which opened in January 2021, uses state-of-the-art technology and interactive exhibits that include floor-to-ceiling video projection, interactive digital experiences, gospel singing instruction from featuring Dr. Bobby Jones, a psychedelic disco dance lesson chamber, a rap battle studio, and chip bracelets so visitors can take home their own curated playlists and interactivity from the experience.
The museum features galleries based on various time periods in music history, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a specific era and become part of the musical experience. NMAAM features a research library, theater, and permanent galleries with several hundred artifacts. The museum's permanent galleries demonstrate how music influenced people of African descent’s fight for freedoms in the United States from the 1700s to present day. Educational programs spotlight achievements in and influences of African American music.
Location and Accessibility
Situated at 510 Broadway, the museum is located in the Fifth + Broadway development, a prime spot among top Nashville museums. With its central location and engaging exhibits, the museum is an essential stop for anyone interested in Nashville music history. Its central location makes it easy to explore in a day, offering a comprehensive look at Nashville music history while placing visitors within walking distance of other major sites. And getting to this and other Nashville museums is made simple with Old Town Trolley Tours®.
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The 56,000-square-foot facility includes galleries, performance spaces, and interactive exhibits that bring the story of African-American music to life.
Exhibits and Galleries
Visitors explore how different genres evolved, learning how each style influenced and inspired the next. Here's a glimpse into some of the key exhibits:
- The Roots Theater: Offers a multimedia experience that introduces the origins of African-American music.
- Rivers of Rhythm Pathways: The central “spine” of the museum experience features interactive panels and an animated timeline that links American history with American music history. The Rivers of Rhythm Pathways exhibit follows the development of music from early African rhythms to contemporary hip-hop.
- Wade in the Water: Wade in the Water (The African American Religious Experience: Early 1800s to Present): The gallery presents the history and influence of religious music from indigenous African music that survived during slavery, to the formation of African American spirituals and hymns, to the “Golden Age of Gospel” (1940s-1960s) and its commercial growth. The Wade in the Water exhibit explores the connection between faith and music in African-American culture.
- Crossroads: Crossroads (The Great Migration and the Emergence of Blues: Early 1900s): This gallery chronicles the history and influence of the blues, which has its origins rooted in the work songs and field hollers sung by sharecroppers and lumber mill workers throughout the 19th century, post-slavery period in the Deep South and Mississippi Delta. The Crossroads exhibit traces the blues from its origins in work songs and field hollers to its role in shaping rock and roll.
- A Love Supreme: A Love Supreme (Harlem Renaissance and the Emergence of Jazz): This gallery begins with the survival of African indigenous musical traditions in the Congo Square in New Orleans, Louisiana, and explores its influence on a new form of music emerging, “jazz.” The genre, a hybrid of spirituals, ragtime, blues, and minstrelsy, jazz becomes a national phenomenon with its migration to urban centers in the north. Jazz is highlighted in A Love Supreme, an exhibit that celebrates artists like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
- One Nation Under a Groove: The “One Nation Under a Groove” gallery focuses on key musical influences that take place after World War II. One Nation Under a Groove (Civil Rights Movement: 1940s to Present): This gallery documents the history and influence of R&B that emerged in the years following World War II. R&B, a blend of gospel, jazz, and blues, fueled the development of American music for decades, aiding in the advent of soul, funk, disco, house, techno, and hip-hop. R&B rose alongside the significant technological shifts that altered how music was produced and disseminated, including the arrival of the jukebox and radio.
- The Message: The Message (Urban Renewal: 1970s to Present): Explore the origins of hip-hop and rap in the urban decay of New York’s South Bronx inner city. Visitors will learn about the era’s minority youth culture that brought DJ-driven music, breakdancing, graffiti art, and streetwear fashion under the umbrellas of hip-hop. This exhibit tells the story of hip-hop’s rise from New York block parties to international influence. It showcases pioneers like Run-D.M.C.
The Role of African-American Musicians in Nashville
The role of African-American musicians in Nashville music history dates back long before the city became famous for country music.
- The Fisk Jubilee Singers, a vocal group from Fisk University, introduced the world to spirituals in the 19th century. Their international tours helped establish Nashville as a city of musical excellence long before it was known for country.
- During the mid-20th century, Jefferson Street was a thriving hub for R & B, jazz, and blues. Legendary artists like Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles performed in the area’s clubs, drawing music lovers from across the country.
- African-American musicians continue to shape the industry in Nashville, contributing to country, hip-hop, gospel and R&B.
Instruments and Artifacts
The National Museum of African American Music houses a remarkable collection of instruments used by some of the most influential musicians in history. These instruments serve as a tribute to the artists who transformed the industry and continue to influence modern musicians.
A collection of historic musical instruments on display.
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Interactive Experiences
The museum provides immersive experiences where visitors can listen to historic recordings, use touchscreens to explore music’s evolution, and even try virtual music-making activities. NMAAM is an exceptional addition to the rich music attractions available in Nashville.
Events and Programs
The museum frequently hosts concerts, panel discussions, and special events featuring artists from multiple genres. NMAAM offers educational programs designed for all ages, making it one of the most engaging Nashville museums for families. At the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), we inspire learners of all ages through the power of music.
For educators, the Rivers of Rhythm Institute provided training in culturally informed music education, helping teachers share the impact of African Americans on music with their students. FN2S welcomes guests to participate in sessions to explore and learn how African Americans transformed music history and turned common household items into musical instruments: from spoons to the harmonica, cigar box guitars to the banjo, rhythm and drums to the washtub bass. The program speaks to multiple generations with an audience ranging from K-12 students to seniors. There is something for everyone to learn in the workshops.
Students and groups from around the world visit the museum each week to experience the interactive history in person. From African traditions to American blues and jug bands, the story of the spoons shows how rhythm can start with the simplest of tools. Students will understand the historical origins of music produced by spoons and traced from Africa to Europe to the Middle East.
The harmonica was developed in Europe in the early 1800′s. Christian Friedrich Buschmann from Germany is often cited as the inventor of the Harmonica in 1821. Africans who were transported to the Caribbean and Latin America were playing banjos in the 17th and 18th centuries. Examining the evolution of a music genre, the wash tub bass was originally made by the Baka people of the Congo, and can still be found among tribal societies in Africa and Southeast Asia.
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Educational Resources
The Rivers of Rhythm 6 Episode Series brings NMAAM’s core exhibit to life online. Mirroring the museum’s six genre galleries, these short theatrical videos highlight the origins, evolution, and cultural impact of Spirituals, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, and Hip Hop. These lesson plans invite students to explore the deep connections between music, history, and cultural expression. Through topics like activism, geography, and poetry, learners will examine how African American music has shaped-and been shaped by-social movements, regional identity, and literary traditions. In this lesson, students will explore the poetry of Langston Hughes and determine how music captures the essence of his poetry.
Partnerships and Support
Getting to opening day has been a long journey that has involved many museum supporters. The original idea for the museum was conceived in 1998 when Nashville community leaders Francis Guess and Dr. T.B. Boyd were inspired to start a Nashville museum honoring African American cultural contributions. The concept grew into a national museum and eventually one focused on African American music and its impact on American society and culture. With the support of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, the city of Nashville, the Music City Center and hundreds of generous financial supporters, the museum’s ultimate vision has finally been realized.
Thanks to a partnership between NAMM and the NMAAM, Summer NAMM attendees are offered discounted tickets priced at $18.75/adult (normally $24.95), 10% off museum store merchandise, and discounts on private event space.
Visitor Information
At the time of publication, NMAAM is currently operating via a timed ticket system, and reservations are highly encouraged for visitors to the museum. The pricing is $24.95 for adult general admission, $18.75 for students and teachers with ID and senior citizens, $13.50 for museum guests ages 7-17, and free for visitors 6 years old and under. After readjusting opening plans due to COVID-19, the NMAAM staff has completed exhibition installations and is poised to welcome visitors from around the world.
Nashville's Music Scene Beyond NMAAM
For those looking to experience Nashville museums beyond country music, this museum is a must-visit.
- The Ryman Auditorium is one of the most significant landmarks in Nashville music history, known for its deep connection to American music.
- Concerts and Live Performances - The Ryman continues to host world-class musicians across all genres, from rock and jazz to folk and blues. Many legendary African-American artists, including B.B.
- Historic Exhibits - Visitors can tour the venue to see costumes, instruments, and memorabilia from influential performers.
- Behind-the-Scenes Access - Self-guided and guided tours provide an inside look at the venue’s transformation over the years.
- RCA Studio B Tour - Visitors can step inside this historic recording studio, where icons like Elvis Presley, Fats Domino and the Everly Brothers recorded groundbreaking music.
- Fifth + Broadway
- Boutique Shopping - A mix of locally owned stores and national brands provides a variety of retail options.
- Live Music and Events - Fifth + Broadway frequently hosts performances and pop-up events, adding to the city’s energetic atmosphere.
