The National Art & Soul Experience (ASX) invites Kansas City to see new “House of Hits Museum”  exhibition opening, Fri., Sept. 30, at Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Terr. KCMO. The official exhibit launch celebration is on Fri., Sept. 30,  5-7pm, including a tour at 6pm.

House of Hits (HOH) is a two-level, multi-room exhibit highlighting Kansas City’s remarkable history and prowess in the R&B and Hip-Hop genres. The exhibition includes research stations, backdrops, historic exhibits and art.

From the thirties to today’s music, visitors will discover new content, interviews and never-before seen visuals.

“As a city, we’ve only thoroughly embraced our jazz roots.  However, the most popular forms of music are in other genres such as Rock and R&B and we’ve got global leaders, from Kansas City, in those spaces too”  said Ken Lumpkins, founder of the National Art & Soul Experience (ASX).

HOH features KC’s Tech N9ne, one of the world’s largest independent artists. Producer Brian Kennedy and veteran soul group Bloodstone, who celebrate 60 years in music this year, are other successful Kansas Citians featured in the exhibit.

Kennedy has worked with a long list of artists including Chris Brown, Rihanna and Mariah Carey.

An important, and new to many, figure included in the exhibit is the story of Big Joe Turner, a KC native and blues singer who was also one of the pioneers of Rock & Roll.

 

Morgan Cooper, director of TV show, Bel-Air (Peacock), the re-imagined version of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is featured. Cooper is a part of the music museum because the foundation of his film career was built on shooting music videos in KC.

Other music experiences including dance and nightlife are also part of the experience.

The exhibit will remain at the Black Archives  for just one week.  The last day for the exhibit is Fri., Oct. 7.  The Black Archives is open M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  The HOH exhibit is free but donations are accepted.

HOH is the last phase of ASX Fest 2022, a full week conference, in Kansas City, that featured many individuals who are part of the exhibit, like Morgan Cooper, producer Brian Kennedy, and veteran soul group Bloodstone.

Lumpkins says one of the goals of the festival is to support future development in KC by highlighting the city’s collective talents and global contributions. His goal is to use ASK as a way to support 18th & Vine and the wider KC metropolitan area by building tourism, business, retaining residents, and creating jobs through onsite production.

A few sponsors of ASX FEST 2022 include:  KC Parks and Recreation, the City of Kansas City Missouri, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund and Missouri Tourism, Heartland Coca-Cola, and T-Mobile.

House of Hits Museum exhibit presents KC Music Leadership Beyond Jazz