Blacksound and the Legacy of American Popular Music

🎵 Who really shaped American popular music—and who profited from it?

American popular music is often celebrated as a story of creativity and cultural exchange. But beneath many of its most recognizable sounds lies a complex history of race, performance, and profit.

In this lecture, Matthew D. Morrison, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Stanford University, explores the racialized history of American music through the legacy of blackface minstrelsy and the concept of Blacksound—a term he developed to examine how race, identity, culture, politics, and property have shaped the creation and commodification of popular music.

Drawing on research from his award-winning book Blacksound: Making Race and Popular Music in the United States, Morrison reveals how questions of ownership, representation, and power continue to shape the sounds of American popular culture today. 🎶

🕰 Event Details

​​​What should I expect?

​6:00-6:35 --> arrival & chats

​​​​6:35-7:20 --> lecture

​​​​7:20-8:00 --> q&a and more chatting

​​​Who's invited?

​​​Anyone with an interest in learning new things, meeting new people, and doing fun things on weeknights! Lots of people came solo to our last event, so don't be afraid to do the same—you’ll meet some awesome people!

​​​What about parking?

​​​There's no parking on-site, so we recommend street parking or using public transportation.

​Do I have to be 21+?

​​No :) This venue is open to all ages. If you'd like to purchase alcohol, you must be 21+ and present a valid ID.

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​Photos and short video clips may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed or recorded. We do not do full recordings of lectures at this time.

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​​The lecture is sold out! Can I join a waitlist?

​​Unfortunately, Luma does NOT support waitlists for paid events yet. We recommend checking back on the event site the day before / the day of the event! Attendees are likely to drop out.

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​What about accessibility?

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​By attending, you agree to treat speakers, staff, venue employees, and fellow attendees with respect and to follow all venue rules and staff instructions.

​Harassment, disruptive behavior, or excessive intoxication will not be tolerated. For the safety and comfort of everyone, Big Brain and the venue reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any attendee at any time, without refund, if behavior is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful.

​🍸 Alcohol & Safety

​Depending on the venue, alcohol may be sold and served exclusively by the venue in accordance with California law. Big Brain is not responsible or liable for alcohol service, overconsumption, or any actions resulting from intoxication. By attending, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with a public indoor event and agree that you are solely responsible for your own conduct, safety, and transportation before, during, and after the event.

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