
The Roots of Memphis Music
You probably know Memphis as the home of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll. That's the short version of the story. But you don't have to dig deep to learn: Memphis' sonic roots touch blues and soul as well asĀ gospel, funk, jazz, rap and disco, and it's our Black musicians who have pioneered the way, often serving as cultural ambassadors who share Memphis' groundbreaking sounds around the world. Today when you stand in front of FedExForum in the city's historic Beale Street Entertainment District, you'll notice 24 bollards, each celebrating a different facet of Black music in Memphis. Enjoy the art, designed by local creatives Toonky Berry and Mia Saine (bios below) and snap the QR codes for more: You'll find snippets of each musician's or genre's story, plus tips on where to go next to discover more about Memphis' Black musiciansĀ āĀ from back in the day to who's making music in the city right now.Ā
The Artists

Use this slider to explore the genres of Memphis music: Blues, Soul, Rock 'n' Roll, Hip-Hop, Gospel and Jazz. Each genre is embodied by a boldly painted bollard on the FedExForum plaza just off Beale Street. Click through to each genre to find related artists, recording studios and stories, each of which are also reflected in unique art pieces outside of FedExForum.