MOPOP Announces New Exhibition: Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music- Opening May 17, 2025

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), is proud to is proud to present Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music, a powerful new exhibition opening May 17, 2025. This long-term exhibition explores the profound impact of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul as the soundtrack to resistance, identity, and transformation in Black American history.

Never Turn Back celebrates iconic artists like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, John Lee Hooker, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers—visionaries who used music as a tool for activism, healing, and cultural change. Through immersive experiences, visitors will witness how these genres shaped political movements, redefined artistic expression, and built a lasting legacy that echoes across generations.

“This exhibition is a tribute to the artistry and resilience of Black musicians who shaped the cultural heartbeat of this country,” said Michele Y. Smith, CEO of MOPOP. “Their music is not only a reflection of our shared history. It is a living, breathing force that continues to inspire and mobilize. With Never Turn Back, we are proud to honor their enduring legacy and bring these stories to life for new generations.”

Key Highlights of the Exhibition:

• Rare performance photography, behind-the-scenes images, and archival footage from pivotal cultural moments.
• Listening stations featuring era-defining tracks across Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul.
• A vinyl record wall and original recordings highlighting the soundscape of Black resistance and resilience.
• Immersive film experiences that highlight both personal and collective stories of musical impact.

The exhibition opens to the public on May 17, 2025, and will remain on view through early 2027. Visitors can also join the celebration early at the Soul Train Revival opening party on Friday, May 16. This after-hours event will feature live music, dance performances, a Train Line dance-off, and a vibrant tribute to the legacy of Soul Train. Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music is included with general admission. For tickets and more information, visit mopop.org

ABOUT MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MOPOP)

The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) is a cutting-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary pop culture. With a mission to activate the world-shaping power of pop culture through participative experiences, discovery, and play, MOPOP reaches multigenerational audiences through its collection, exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships. At MOPOP, artists, audiences, and ideas converge to bring understanding, interpretation, and scholarship to the pop culture of our time. For more information, visit mopop.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.