National Music Centre Honours Black Music Month with Community Celebration and Free Admission on June 14

Master T-curated event to feature community lane AND talent expo

(Calgary, AB — May 29, 2025) In honour of Black Music Month, the National Music Centre (NMC) will present a community-driven celebration on Saturday, June 14, featuring free admission all day at Studio Bell, and a lineup of activities curated by MuchMusic legend Master T.

Hosted by acclaimed Alberta hip-hop and R&B artist K-Riz, the event will spotlight the creativity, expression, and heritage of Black music and culture. Neo-soul collective The Rondel Roberts Band will headline, showcasing a blend of ‘70s soul, feel-good funk, classic rock, and golden-era boom-bap rap. Also performing are British-Canadian R&B and grime-infused rap artist Jackie Art, and Nigerian-Canadian Afropop act Skinny Blaiz.

The event will also feature a live talent expo, local food vendors, and a community lane with offerings from Calgary’s Black creative community, from artisans to music industry representatives and recording studio connections. Community lane organizations include RYP Canada, 3rd Verse Studios, and more to be announced.

Emerging Black artists are invited to submit an original song, cover, or spoken word piece by Friday, June 6 at 11:59 pm MT for a chance to perform live at 12 pm on June 14. Selected finalists will perform in front of a live audience and receive real-time feedback from a panel of established musicians. Interested artists can learn more and submit at studiobell.ca/blackmusicmonth.

“As someone who’s spent decades championing Black artists and music in this country, I know how important it is to create platforms that celebrate our stories,” said Master T. “This celebration is about uplifting Black voices and giving young talent the opportunity to shine on a national stage. I’m honoured to curate this event that honours both the legacy and future of Black music in Canada.”

About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.

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Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager, PR & Marketing
T. 403.543.5123
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada