What happens when you mix Memphis history, hip-hop culture, and a rolling sound system? You get the Memphis Rap Tour Bus — the city’s first-ever rap tour experience, co-founded by Soulsville Charter School alum Taylor Barksdale. In just two hours, the bus takes riders through the neighborhoods, studios, and landmarks that shaped Memphis’ global reputation in rap and […]
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Every September, Stax Music Academy celebrates Production Month with hands-on learning experiences and free community programs that highlight the many facets of audio production. From student field trips to workshops with industry leaders, the month is designed to inspire, educate, and provide real-world insight into the art and business of making music. Here’s a look […]
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KIRBY—Kirby Lauryen Dockery, self-styled “Granddaughter of Soul”—channels Mississippi’s profound musical inheritance in her latest album, Miss Black America. Drawing from the blues-worn endurance of Dockery Plantation and the raw, vulnerable soul of Stax, she crafts work that honors history while pointing resolutely toward the future. Raised in Southaven and trained at the Stax Music Academy […]
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DONATE NOW For 25 years, the Stax Music Academy has stood as a pillar of inspiration, education, and opportunity—empowering the next generation of soul musicians, songwriters, and music industry professionals. But today, as we reflect on this milestone, we are also met with a sobering reality: The future of nonprofit arts organizations is more uncertain […]
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