The Roots Residency

The Kennedy Center’s new For the Culture initiative uplifts one of the core tenets of the Hip Hop Culture Program: celebrating the multi-hyphenate artist. Our inaugural residency spotlights one of Hip Hop’s vital cultural leaders and most respected acts: four-time Grammy Award®–winning band and founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council members The Roots.

This two-year residency explores the full range of The Roots’ creative expression with performances, curatorial endeavors, activations, and humanities activities highlighting the legendary crew and its joint front men: acclaimed emcee, writer, actor, and artist Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and award-winning drummer, DJ, producer, director, journalist, and best-selling author Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.