A Music Lover’s Guide to Atlanta

For decades, Atlanta has been a major musical hub, nurturing an array of Southern acts who have set trends and topped Billboard charts. It’s the city that developed and commercialized trap music, which has made global waves even outside of rap music. The city’s impact extends beyond trap, though. Atlanta has long been a place where artists from elsewhere – ranging from Nelly to Jack Harlow, from Muni Long to Mariah Carey – come to be creative and collaborate with hitmaking producers such as Jermaine Dupri, Tricky Stewart and Metro Boomin. From James Brown to Outkast to Summer Walker, the city’s music history runs deep.

This likely wouldn’t be the case without the cultural spaces and music venues in the city which have served as incubators and development hubs for local and transplant artists alike. Atlanta is a sprawling city, though, meaning there’s no central location where people can bear witness to its musical legacy. From southwest Atlanta, which birthed acts like Goodie Mob, to east Atlanta, home of Gucci Mane and 21 Savage, each neighborhood offers a unique glimpse into the culture that has inspired superstars.

Whether you’re a local looking to learn more about the city that birthed you or a transplant interested in seeing what Atlanta’s music scene has to offer, this music guide is for you. It’s not a comprehensive list, but it will serve as the perfect entry point for anyone curious about the city and the entertainment it has inspired. From record stores to museums, here are a dozen must-visit music landmarks and venues.