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These days, we talk about who produced the latest hit almost as much as the artist who sings or raps the record. Anchored by the upright piano from Philadelphia Records producer Thom Bell, we break down the value of in-house producers with the NMAAHC's Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, and NYU professor Naima Cochrane, followed by a conversation between Selema and Grammy Award-winning producer Hit-Boy.

In the early 1950s, the folk stylings of Black American artists like Josh White and Lead Belly inspired British teens to form impromptu, exuberant “skiffle” bands. One of these bands, the Quarrymen, morphed into the Beatles. Beginning with a deep dive into the Josh White guitar from the museum's collection, we uncover the sparsely known beginnings of the British Invasion through a discussion with the NMAAHC’s Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, and music writer James Sullivan, followed by a conversation between Selema and folk-punk singer Billy Bragg.

Before the Harlem Renaissance, live music was typically performed in vaudeville theaters or informal roadhouses. Looking at a vintage map of Harlem’s world-famous nightclubs from the early 1930s, we take a stroll around the block with the NMAAHC's Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, and music writer James Sullivan, followed by a conversation between Selema Masekela and the Grammy-nominated band Tank and the Bangas.

Long before MP3s and the iPod put us all in our own headphone bubbles, it took the hip-hop era and its biggest boomboxes to ingrain the music on city streets around the globe. We’ll examine perhaps the most iconic boombox of them all, Radio Raheem’s Promax Super Jumbo boombox from Spike Lee’s classic film 'Do the Right Thing,'  with the NMAAHC’s Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, and music writer James Sullivan, followed by an interview between Selema Masekela and innovative rap star Denzel Curry.

Frankie Valli, the Stylistics and the Bee Gees famously worked in the falsetto register, which came to the mainstream by way of gospel and doo-wop. Anchored by Curtis Mayfield's Gold Tape Award for the 'Superfly' album, Selema Masekela explores the storied roots of falsetto with the NMAAHC’s Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs Dr. Dwandalyn Reece and journalist James Sullivan, followed by an interview with iconic singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson. This episode also features exclusive commentary from diamond-selling singer Usher.

Whitney Houston was booed at the 1988 Soul Train Awards and critiqued for not making “Black music.” But isn’t pop music Black music? Selema Masekela explores this question through a discussion with the NMAAHC’s Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs Dr. Dwandalyn Reece and NYU professor Naima Cochrane, followed by an interview with rising popstar Coco Jones.

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis join Selema Masekela in D.C. to unpack the influence of Minnesota and funk rock on their sound. Selema also leads a deep dive into themes inspired by J Dilla's MPC3000, a Mother’s Finest leather jacket and the Janet Jackson key earring.

We unearth the rise of gospel music through Dr. Reece's examination of Mahalia Jackson's 1949 appearance on Stud's Place and Host Selema Masekela's soulful conversation with celebrated multi-instrumentalist Valerie June.

John Coltrane manuscript in hand, the All Music Is Black Music team dives deep into the early roots of psychedelic rock. Genre pioneer Roger McGuinn of the Byrds and celebrated guitarist Nels Cline of Wilco make special appearances.

The Smithsonian's Dr. Reece sets the stage for a journey through the evolving world of DJs with a look at the Cold Crush Brothers Table. Host Selema Masekela joins the party with an exclusive D-Nice interview and more.

We grab our Nina Simone recital ticket and enjoy the show as we learn about the skillset that distinguishes classically trained musicians. This episode features an exclusive chat between host Selema Masekela and the classically trained pianist Regina Spektor. 

Host Selema Masekela and the Smithsonian's Dr. Reece draws us into André 3000’s world of influence through an examination of his boa cape from an appearance on the Chris Rock Show and an exclusive with Vic Mensa.

Dr. Dwandalyn Reece cranks up the volume on Jimi Hendrix's amp and Selema Masekela chats with the genre-bending, Grammy-winning St. Vincent, as we explore the evolution of the guitar god.

We gather around the Charley Pride Country Music Award to trek through the storied roots of African American storytelling in country music and beyond. This episode features an exclusive conversation between host Selema Masekela and the versatile Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ne-Yo.

We begin with an SWV backstage pass and access the harmonic world of girl groups and how they changed pop music forever. This episode features an exclusive conversation between host Selema Masekela and the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning artist Kelly Rowland.

SiriusXM and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture present All Music Is Black Music, a podcast that explores how African American music and culture has shaped the wider contemporary music landscape. In each episode, host Selema Masekela takes listeners on a journey beginning with an artifact from the NMAAHC’s collection. Through interviews with artists, authors and scholars, we discover the stories of the Black musicians and cultural creators who have shaped today's trends, styles and genres.