THE ENTRY
Berry Gordy established Tamla Records in Detroit in 1959; the enterprise grew into Motown. From Hitsville U.S.A., writers, producers, musicians, choreographers, and artists developed a disciplined hit-making operation with a sound that crossed markets and borders.
WHY IT MATTERED
Motown demonstrated how Black-owned cultural enterprise could build a repeatable pipeline for songs, stars, visual presentation, touring, and international crossover.