ONE NATION UNDER A GROOVE
The Birth of Rhythm and Blues
The One Nation Under A Groove gallery documents the history and influence of rhythm and blues, or R&B, which emerged in the years following the end of World War II. A blend of gospel, jazz and blues, R&B has fueled the development of American music for decades, spawning new musical forms such as soul, funk, disco, house, techno and hip hop. Rhythm and blues emerged during a time of cultural and political change, when the music industry underwent significant growth and new technology affected how music was produced and disseminated, specifically through the jukebox and the radio. This gallery details the stories of Motown, Stax, and Philadelphia International record labels, and explores the evolution of contemporary R&B. One Nation Under A Groove highlights the emergence of music-dance television program 'Soul Train' (1970s), and the MTV cable network (1980), both of which played a critical role in establishing Black pop as a dominant commercial genre. Guests can produce their own original songs and participate in a virtual dance battle while in the gallery, and get up close views of artifacts from iconic artists such as George Clinton, Prince, and Whitney Houston.