Through a Musical Lens: Experiences Celebrating Black History and Culture

February 5, 2025

Cybelle Jones

Music is more than entertainment—it is a storyteller, a time capsule, and a cultural force that carries the history, struggles, and triumphs of a people. Through rhythm, lyrics, and movement, Black artists have shaped global culture, using music as a form of resistance, celebration, and innovation. From jazz and blues to rock, hip-hop, and beyond, Black music has continually redefined artistic expression and fueled social change.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize that music is not just part of Black history—it is a lens through which we experience it. The melodies, beats, and voices of Black musicians tell stories of resilience and revolution, connecting past generations to the present and shaping the future. These beats have provided the soundtrack to movements for justice, defined cultural identities, and set the stage for new creative frontiers.

Experience designers play a vital role in amplifying these narratives, crafting immersive spaces that bring audiences deeper into the world of Black music and its cultural impact. These projects go beyond documentation—they invite participation, allowing visitors to step inside the music, hear the stories firsthand, and tangibly engage with history.

Innovative projects redefining music storytelling

From the Book of HOV’s unprecedented takeover of the Brooklyn Public Library to the immersive storytelling of the National Museum of African American Music, these exhibitions redefine how we connect with Black music’s legacy. SEGD members and Global Design Award-winning projects are at the forefront of using experiential design to celebrate this rich history. Through cutting-edge design, interactive experiences, and innovative storytelling, these spaces create environments where music can be felt, seen, and understood, ensuring its influence continues to inspire generations to come.

Book of HOV: An Award-Winning Celebration of Hip-Hop’s Legacy

Design: GENERAL IDEA, Roc Nation
Award: SEGD Global Design Award, Merit (2024) – Placemaking

One of the most impactful projects in recent years, Book of HOV, winning a 2024 SEGD Global Design Award in Placemaking, transformed the Brooklyn Public Library into a tribute exhibition dedicated to the life and cultural influence of Jay-Z. Designed by GENERAL IDEA in collaboration with Roc Nation, the exhibition explored Jay-Z’s journey from Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to a global icon. 

Through multimedia displays, rare artifacts, and an expansive narrative approach, the exhibition highlighted not just his career but also the broader influence of hip-hop on art, business, and activism. The exhibition didn’t just attract visitors—it broke records, drawing more than 600,000 people and proving the power of experience design in making cultural legacies accessible to all.

The Culture: 50 Years of Hip-Hop at the Baltimore Museum of Art

Design: SmithGroup

For hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, The Culture: Hip-Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century at the Baltimore Museum of Art showcased the genre’s impact in a way that had never been done before. Designed by SEGD Board Member Dayton Schroeter and SmithGroup, the exhibition mirrored the structure of a hip-hop album, organizing its narrative into thematic sections like Language, Brand, Adornment, and Tribute.

Visitors didn’t just walk through history—they stepped inside hip-hop’s evolution. The exhibition fused contemporary art, fashion, and politics with immersive environments, creating a space that felt as dynamic and boundary-pushing as the culture itself. Elements of Afrofuturism reinforced hip-hop’s role as a driver of empowerment and storytelling, making it clear that hip-hop isn’t just music—it’s a movement.

National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM): A Comprehensive Musical Journey

Design: G&A (Gallagher & Associates)

Located in the heart of Nashville, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the first institution entirely dedicated to celebrating the musical contributions of African Americans. Designed by G&A, the museum takes visitors through an interactive journey, connecting musical genres to their African roots and tracing their evolution through gospel, blues, jazz, rock, and hip-hop. 

The museum’s interactivity is key—immersing visitors in experiences like singing in a gospel choir or participating in digital jam sessions, ensuring that Black music’s history is not just learned but felt.

Louis Armstrong House Museum: Jazz’s Enduring Legacy

Design: C&G Partners

In Queens, New York, the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Visitors Center brings to life the story of one of America’s greatest jazz musicians. Designed by C&G Partners, the new visitors center features an interactive gallery where visitors can explore Armstrong’s influence through high-fidelity audio stations, immersive storytelling, and historic artifacts. 

Drawing inspiration from the original branding by legendary designer Milton Glaser, the exhibition incorporates circular design elements as a tribute to Armstrong’s innovations in jazz improvisation and scat singing. The result is an experience that honors his legacy while deepening visitors’ connection to the music.

Bringing history to life through music

These projects showcase how exhibition and experience design play a critical role in celebrating Black music’s cultural impact. By integrating storytelling, interactivity, and immersive environments, they honor the past while inspiring future generations. SEGD members continue to push creative boundaries, ensuring that these narratives remain at the forefront of our built environment.

As we celebrate Black History Month and reflect on last weekend’s Grammy Awards, we recognize that these projects are more than exhibitions—they are living tributes to the power of music to reflect history, culture, and identity.

What future music-inspired spaces will continue this legacy? Join the conversation.