The Kennedy Center just named their first ever Director of Hip-Hop. Yes, it’s a good thing and a big deal.
The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts is dedicating itself to involving Hip-Hop culture. Last year they named Q-Tip their artistic director Hip-Hop. Now they have made Harlem Stage director Simone Eccleston their overall director of Hip-Hop.
Her job will entail including Hip-Hop culture into their many programs and events and highlight the collaborative nature of the music. With this, the center will be able to provide more opportunities for artists, MCs, DJs, dancers, producers and graf writers to participate in events.
As of now, there are only two Hip-Hop related events on the Kennedy Center’s schedule. But, they do have an ongoing collaboration with American University that provides a fellowship for a graduate student to focus exclusively on hip-hop culture and contemporary music.
In a statement, Eccleston said, “With the Kennedy Center serving as the preeminent home for our nation’s arts and culture, the creation of a programmatic platform for hip-hop culture is deeply significant.”
Photo: WENN
