Hip Hop on the Nation's Stage: Foundation
Exploring the evolution of Hip Hop Culture Programming at the National Cultural Center
One Mic: Hip Hop Culture Worldwide (2014-03-24) by Jati LindsayThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
An American Art Form
In recognition of its place as one of our nation’s greatest cultural assets, the Kennedy Center has created a dynamic home for Hip Hop Culture, celebrating its role as catalyst for innovation, exploration, and transformation through performances, discussions, workshops, and more
New York City Breakers (1983)
At the 1983 Honors, the New York City Breakers performed fresh new moves for dance pioneer Katherine Dunham. It also marked the first hip hop performance before a sitting president, as President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan were seated in the box with the Honorees.
New York City Breakers salute Kennedy Center Honoree Katherine Dunham (2016-12-01) by The Kennedy CenterThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
New York City Breakers
Over the years, the Center has presented programs centered in or inspired by Hip Hop Culture through Millennium Stage, Dance, and Education. Notably, the Center had a decade-long partnership with renowned organization Hi-ARTS to present the annual DC Hip Hop Theater Festival.
One Mic: Hip-Hop Culture Worldwide (2014)
In 2014, the Kennedy Center, in collaboration with Hi-ARTS, presented a three-week festival celebrating this uniquely American art form and its global influence with MCing, DJing, b-boying, and graffiti writing, alongside interdisciplinary work born of hip hop aesthetics.
One Mic: Hip-Hop Culture Worldwide
Nas with the National Symphony Orchestra (2014)
Two decades after the album's release, Nas teamed up with the National Symphony Orchestra during the One Mic festival to stage a symphonic rendition of Illmatic, one of the most revered albums in hip hop history.
Nas with the National Symphony Orchestra | "One Love" (2018-01-25) by The Kennedy CenterThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The Nas concert was film and later broadcast on PBS' “Great Performances” series in 2018. It is currently available on Netflix.
Kendrick Lamar with the National Symphony Orchestra (2015)
On October 20, 2015, Kendrick Lamar and the NSO Pops delivered a one-night-only performance at the Kennedy Center featuring some of Lamar's biggest hits and cuts from his lyrical masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly.
Kendrick Lamar and the National Symphony Orchestra: "These Walls" (2015-10-20)The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Kendrick Lamar and the National Symphony Orchestra
The Birth of a Program
Hip Hop Culture becomes a cornerstone of programming at the National Cultural Center.
Creation of Hip Hop Culture programming department (2016)
Recognizing hip hop's contributions to global culture and its power to build and transform communities through art and action, the Kennedy Center formed a dedicated programming team to create a dynamic home for Hip Hop Culture with performances, workshops, panels, and more.
Q-Tip appointed Artistic Director of Hip Hop Culture (2016)
As the Kennedy Center’s first-ever Artistic Director for Hip Hop Culture, MC/rapper and record producer Q-Tip collaborates to bring dynamic programs that explore the historic roots, contemporary expressions, and transformative power of hip hop.
Q-Tip Named First Artistic Director of Hip-Hop Culture at the Kennedy Center (2017-07-05) by The Kennedy CenterThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Q-Tip, Artistic Director of Hip Hop Culture
Simone Eccleston named Director of Hip Hop Culture (2017)
In her role, Eccleston is responsible for the creative leadership and artistic administration related to the Center-wide collective output of Hip Hop Culture Programming, in addition to introducing high-quality Contemporary Music and cross-genre programs.
Founding of the Hip Hop Culture Council (2018)
The Hip Hop Culture Council is a dynamic community of 23 high-profile visionaries who lend their names, talent, expertise, and resources to bring greater visibility to our programs by forging new pathways that deepen public knowledge and appreciation for Hip Hop Culture.
Q-Tip Announces the Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council (2018-03-06) by The Kennedy CenterThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Q-Tip introduces the Hip Hop Culture Council
Simone Eccleston introduces the 2021-2022 Season, sharing the mission of the Hip Hop Culture Program while uplifting its core programmatic commitments.
Hip Hop Block Party (2019)
In 2019, as part of the REACH Opening Festival, the Hip Hop Culture Program presented a Hip Hop Block Party featuring various members of its Hip Hop Culture Council and a closing headline performance by iconic group De La Soul.
Iconic Hip Hop Performances on the Nation's Stage
The Roots
Grammy®-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco performs his classic “Kick, Push” in the Concert Hall (2019)
Grammy®-winning hip hop legends De La Soul perform their hit “Oooh.” (2019)
Hip Hop at 50
The Kennedy Center will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop throughout the 2023-2024 season, celebrating legendary pioneers, uplifting the multihyphenate, and looking forward to the next generation.
