Q-Tip has been named the artistic director of the Kennedy Center's Hip-Hop Culture Council.

The Kennedy Center announced the inception of the Council yesterday (March 6), saying that it "will serve to help the Kennedy Center create new pathways and deepen public knowledge of Hip Hop, contribute to broader Center-wide initiatives, and strengthen the burgeoning Hip Hop Culture program at the Kennedy Center."

Q-Tip, who was named the first artistic director of hip-hop culture back in March 2016, will serve as head of the newly launched Hip-Hop Culture Council, and says the Council will reflect the many assets of the hip-hop community.

“The Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Culture Council reflects the creative, social, and intellectual wealth of the Hip Hop community,” he said. “The members are the embodiment of what we stand for and all that we aspire to achieve with the Hip Hop Culture program.”

Starting this spring, the Council will help develop work at the Center, with initial projects involving the council including a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the hip-hop classic film Wild Style, which feature a discussion hosted by Fab 5 Freddy and Grandmaster Caz. Additionally, August Greene (Common, Robert Glasper, Kariem Riggins) will come together for their first live public performance in the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall on March 29.

Founding members of the Council also include Questlove, Common, 9th Wonder, Fab 5 Freddy, Mimi Valdés, Grandmaster Caz, and LL Cool J, who was honored by the Kennedy Center last year. 

 

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