One of America’s pre-eminent performing arts institutions, the Kennedy Center is embracing hip-hop culture in a major way. Last year, LL Cool J became the first rapper inducted into the elite ranks of Kennedy Center Honors recipients. As far back as 2008, rapper Mos Def performed at the Kennedy Center, sneaking in as part of the jazz programing. “That was a tipping point for us to say that this hunger for a connection between this art form and the Kennedy Center is very real. They won’t just be asked to help introduce hip-hop to the Kennedy Center; they’ll be asked to help introduce the Kennedy Center to the hip-hop community.

Source: National Post March 03, 2018 05:48 UTC