KANSAS CITY, MO (January 7, 2026) – The Zhou B Art Center Kansas City proudly presents POP IS BLACK, an electrifying live concert event and a special edition of its acclaimed ROCK IS BLACK concert series, taking place on Friday, February 28 from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. This dynamic evening is dedicated to showcasing the full spectrum of pop-influenced music created by Black artists in Kansas City and beyond.
POP IS BLACK expands the ROCK IS BLACK platform to center pop in all its forms—highlighting artists working across hip-pop, rap, pop, R&B, alternative pop, and genre-blending sounds. This is not a tribute concert, but a celebration of original music, creativity, and innovation that reflects the current and evolving landscape of Black musical expression.
The event will feature a curated lineup of live performances by Black artists whose work pushes boundaries and redefines what pop music can be. Through high-energy sets and immersive sound, POP IS BLACK creates space for artists to be seen, heard, and supported on a professional stage while connecting with new and returning audiences.
“POP IS BLACK is about honoring Black creativity as it exists right now,” says Malek Azrael, curator of POP IS BLACK and Marketing & Outreach Coordinator at Zhou B Art Center KC. “Pop music is expansive, experimental, and deeply rooted in Black culture. This show creates a platform where artists can fully express that range while being compensated and celebrated for their work.”
Guests can expect an engaging concert experience with music throughout the evening, a vibrant atmosphere, and a bar with drinks available for purchase. POP IS BLACK invites community members, music lovers, and supporters of the arts to come together for a night of live performance, connection, and cultural celebration.
ROCK IS BLACK is an ongoing concert series by Zhou B Art Center KC dedicated to amplifying Black musicians across genres. POP IS BLACK continues this mission by spotlighting pop-forward sounds and the artists shaping the future of music in Kansas City.
Event Details:
- Title: POP IS BLACK (An Edition of ROCK IS BLACK)
- Date: February 28, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Location: Zhou B Art Center Kansas City, 1801 E 18th Street, Kansas City, MO
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Format: Live concert performances
- Bar: Drinks available for purchase
About Zhou B Art Center Kansas City
Zhou B Art Center KC is a creative hub for visual artists, musicians, curators, and cultural organizations, committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and access in the arts. As a sister location to the original Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, the Kansas City location advances the Zhou Brothers’ mission by providing studio spaces, exhibitions, and public programming that elevate contemporary art and music in the Midwest.
For more information and event updates, visit zhoubartcenterkc.com or follow @zhoubartcenterkc on Instagram.