Hip-Hop's back once again at The Kennedy Center and the livin is easier than ever!
On July 15th of this year, The Kennedy Center announced their current season of events for the Hip-Hop Culture Program which includes residencies by seminal, African-American Hip-Hop artists, book launches, and monumental performances. Capping the season off, in March of 2022 the multi-faceted, award-winning show BLACK GIRLS ROCK! will be making its debut with the National Symphony Orchestra for a three-day performance residency.
Another seasonal gobstopper includes the book launch of musical polymath Questlove [real name Ahmir Khalib Thompson]. Entitled "MUSIC IS HISTORY," he retells the harrowing chronology of black music culture with the rise of disco and the American pop scene from the 70s onwards, while also touching upon blaxploitation place within the music industry. The launch and discussion is planned to take place on Saturday, November 13th.
The season's real goal, stated in their promotional YouTube video by Director of Hip-Hop Music and Contemporary Music for The Kennedy Center Simone Eccleston, is to spotlight and focus on the genre's ever-changing face and its current role in furthering dialogue.
“By focusing on those who are deeply rooted alongside those that dwell at the intersection, we will explore the full range of Hip Hop’s breadth, depth, and aesthetics, sparking new understandings of hip hop’s vastness and possibilities.”
By giving a platform to Hip-Hop's present form and the creator's that are shaping and paving the way for tough conversations and phenomnal discoveries to be had, these artists are given a flesh-n-blood place at the table of life. As she states, they can be seen finally as "creative and cultural leaders, community catalysts, and powerful storytellers" who "create universes" that express their community ties and curatorial representationality.
The Season officially begins on September 9th with a two-week residency by the Hip-Hop composer, musician, producer, and foundational member of The Hip Hop Culture Council Robert Glasper at The Club in Studio K. His residency begins with a 4 evenings of his group Dinner Party, a retro-nostalgic mixture of past and present musical excellence, followed by 4 evenings of his other venture Black Radio at The REACH.
For more information on the 2021/2022 season, head over to The Hip Hop at Kennedy Center website and get tickets before they sell out. This is a season you won't want to miss!
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