Ford Motor Company and Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos have teamed up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mustang and its influence on popular culture. ICON50 is a unique program that aims to uncover new music that reflects the Mustang spirit of freedom and adventure in addition to curating cultural landmarks of music. Cultural experts from Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, Zagat, ESPN The Magazine and Mashable are collaborating to discover new talent and uncover the future icons of music and culture in America.

ICON50 artists include ASTR, Betty Who, Cathedrals, Elle King, Joywave, MisterWives, Sheppard, Smallpools, Young Rising Sons and Young & Sick. An exclusive, specially curated playlist featuring ICON50 artists will be made available to guests staying at Hard Rock venues around the globe in February.

Launched in September, ICON50 is looking to the future of the music industry. 50 innovators will be chosen to design themed driving routes across the country to celebrate the legendary pony car’s milestone. A driving route along the eastern region of the country has been developed by Ford and Hard Rock which features destinations that are shaping the future of music in America.

From New York to Florida, Hard Rock helped to create a route that will allow consumers to discover the cultural landmarks of music. An interactive map featuring driving routes and key points of interest can be found at the at the ICON50 site.