[dropcap]The[/dropcap] Kennedy Center has been presenting hip-hop for over 15 years, but not as part of its institutional programming. Instead, the venue’s hop-hop performances have come under the aegis of its Performing Arts For Everyone initiative. Under that program, celebrated artists like Mos Def, Kendrick Lamar, Common, Nas, and Ms. Lauryn Hill have all graced the Concert Hall stage.
A shift began when Deborah Rutter took the reins at the Kennedy Center in 2014. The leadership acknowledged that as the nation’s performing arts center, it would have to recognize the importance of America’s most important cultural export of the past 40 years. That effort takes a major step forward on Friday as the Kennedy Center launches its first full hip-hop season, becoming the first arts institution of its stature and influence to do so.
After making the decision to develop a dedicated hip-hop series, the Kennedy Center tapped rapper Q-Tip, founding member of the legendary group A Tribe Called Quest, to serve as its first artistic director of hip-hop culture. He will team up on Friday to perform with Jason Moran, the Center’s artistic director for jazz. [mc4wp_form id=”6042″]
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE | WASHINGTON, DC
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become charter members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. (Website).
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