Spotify concluded Black History Month with a bang as 6lack performs at their exclusive exhibition last Friday in Manhattan’s trendy SoHo neighborhood.
The undeniably successful streaming service paid homage to Black artists during it’s Black History Is Now: Phenomenal Black Music pop-up exhibit in NYC. The two-day exhibit focused on the achievements and impact that African-American artists have made within the entertainment industry from past and present. Inside the exhibit, guests were welcomed with digital installations that showcased a plethora of artists. It included a wide variety of innovators from Bob Marley to Soulja Boy. It’s museum-style layout also included displays honoring and informing visitors of the many Black female artists who helped shape the music industry. Women such as Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Lizzo are just a few of the artists mentioned within the interactive displays.
(Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify)
The event featured DJ Oliva Dope. Which was a great addition and makes you question why all museums don’t include DJs, since she was able to bring the installations to life by playing the artists depicted throughout the exhibit. Guests embraced the party-like atmosphere as they were treated to an exclusive merch drop. The collection included clothing by fashion designers Joe Freshgoods and Jamilla Okubo. And just to make the visitor’s experience even better, Spotify partnered with Levi’s to create a customization station which allowed visitors to apply unique patches created by both designers to Levi’s classic denim jacket.
The catered affair also included a bar and an intricate layout which allowed for the perfect photo-op. The inclusive environment amplified the importance of exhibits such as this one. Which explains the success of their pop up exhibit last year when Spotify teamed up with The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
And to add to the elegant extravaganza, R&B artist 6lack took center stage to perform for the crowd. His magnetic vocals and melodic hits were the perfect end to a magical evening. Although Spotify is not the first company to implement exclusive pop-up attractions, their message is profound and separates them into a league of their own. Their hub, Black History Is Now creates a platform in order to celebrate Black creatives, innovators, artists, and organizations all year round. And this event proved to be a successful exhibition on behalf of the music streaming powerhouse.