{"product_id":"musical-crossroads-9781911282877","title":"Musical Crossroads","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis major new title builds out of \u003ci\u003eMusical Crossroads\u003c\/i\u003e, one of the 12 permanent exhibitions at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to present a vibrantly illustrated exploration of 400 years of African American musical culture.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMusic is the great equalizer around the world. No matter where it originates or what form it takes, it has had a profound role in shaping the human experience and preserving the history of that experience for centuries. African American music originated out of a heritage shaped by the Transatlantic Slave Trade and forced enslavement. The music born out of this shared identity was a means of survival, a treatise on the struggle for freedom, and an agent of social change, and generated a vast array of musical styles and performance traditions that have defined American music. \u003ci\u003eMusical Crossroads\u003c\/i\u003e explores how objects can expand our understanding of the ways African American music-making continues to shape and influence society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFive thematic chapters are introduced with an essay by Dwandalyn R. Reece, and accompanied by shorter features written by museum staff. Striking images include Johnny Mathis on stage; Bo Diddley’s Gretsch Guitar; Nina Simone recording \"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood\" to name just a few. Featured  objects include Radio Raheem’s original boombox used in Spike Lee’s 1989 film, \u003ci\u003eDo the Right Thing\u003c\/i\u003e; the original Public Enemy logo necklace alongside a story from rapper Chuck D about where the group’s name comes from; and photos of Queen Latifah taken by Hip-hop photographer Al Pereira while she was filming the music video for “Fly Girl”. Numerous illustrated profiles and stories relating to a host of DJs, producers, Black-owned record labels, Black music press, and artists, include magazines like Defender, Blacks Stars, and Vibe; record labels like Vee-Jay, Stax, Motown and Sussex Records; promoters and producers including Berry Gordy Jr, Isaac Hayes, and Ernie Freeman; as well as artists Otis Redding, Nina Simone, Luther Vandross, Little Richard, Bill Withers, Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson, to name a few – they’re all here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dwandalyn R. Reece","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48281757319419,"sku":"9781911282877","price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/3917\/9771\/files\/9781911282877.jpg?v=1772487974","url":"https:\/\/indiepubs.com\/products\/musical-crossroads-9781911282877","provider":"IndiePubs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}