Black Thought News

HBO salutes Ailey at 60 with a social media video series to launch during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary New York City Center season November 28 - December 30. This tribute video series will introduce new audiences to the Ailey legacy through moving commentary from music, film, and TV stars - Jussie Smollett, Vanessa Williams, Jillian Hervey, and Black Thought - who share how Ailey has inspired their artistry, impacted American culture, and continues to reach people of all ages backgrounds around the globe.

FirstWorks Artistic Icons Series Brings World Class Performances by Black Violin and Complexions Contemporary Ballet to Providence in April 2019

After its sell-out success over a decade ago, Oily Cart is delighted to announce the return of its not too cool for pre-school show - HIPPITY HOP. Running from 11 to 31 December at artsdepot, North Finchley followed by a national UK tour from January 11, this hip 'n' happening, multi-sensory musical is back to meet and immerse a new generation of hip young things into the magical world of theatre.

The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), in association with TBS, announced today the addition of more than 100 shows to its 2018 line-up. The festival runs from November 5th through November 11th at some of New York City's most iconic venues including the Beacon Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Carolines on Broadway, Madison Square Garden, Town Hall and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, among others.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development today announced the launch of Tennessee Music Pathways, a statewide program designed to guide visitors to their musical points of interest through an online travel-planning experience featuring hundreds of landmarks and attractions promoting the seven musical genres-blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll-that call Tennessee home.

The GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center, in association with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), will launch a new program series this fall, beginning with “An Evening With Lenny Kravitz,” a four-time GRAMMY® winner, on Sept. 18, 2018, in NJPAC's Victoria Theater in Newark, N.J. The program will feature a conversation between the iconic rock musician and special guest moderator, five-time GRAMMY winner Questlove about the creation and inspiration behind Kravitz's new release, Raise Vibration. The series will continue with “An Evening With Wyclef Jean,” a three-time GRAMMY winner and founding member of the New Jersey-based Fugees Oct.16, 2018.  The acclaimed musician, producer, and songwriter will discuss his illustrious career and current projects with the Los Angeles GRAMMY Museum's Founding Executive Director, Bob Santelli, which will be followed by a special performance.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development today announced the launch of Tennessee Music Pathways, a statewide program designed to guide visitors to their musical points of interest through an online travel-planning experience featuring hundreds of landmarks and attractions promoting the seven musical genres-blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll-that call Tennessee home.

Backstreet Boys join Jimmy and The Roots to perform their hit 'I Want It That Way' with classroom instruments. Watch the clip below!

MR. PIM PASSES BY debuted on the stage in 1919, written by A.A. Milne (1882-1956) Although he will be known forever for his children's literature as the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, Milne also wrote numerous plays and screenplays, books of poetry, and seven novels. This comedy for grown-ups tells a tale of mistaken identity and the lives it affects after a mysterious stranger pops up at a Woodbury, Connecticut home. It's never explained why Mr. Pim is in the neighborhood, although it's very apparent he does not live in the area nor is he visiting anyone else who does. And as the story builds, you might decide he is a character much like Clarence the Angel in "It's a Wonderful Life," there to simply make sure that love rules the day.

Ariana Grande joins Jimmy and The Roots to perform 'No Tears Left to Cry' with Nintendo Labo instruments. Each instrument is made from only cardboard and a Nintendo Switch and is being played live. 

Billboard-charting recording artist violinist Chelsey Green and her band The Green Project will make their Washington Performing Arts main stage debut on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 8pm at Sixth & I. Tickets are $25 at washingtonperformingarts.org. Chelsey tears down all stereotypes of the violin and viola by fusing traditional classical technique with popular favorites and enticing original songs in various genres, including R&B, pop, soul, funk, jazz, alternative, hip hop, gospel and more.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is honored to announce that Philadelphia artists, including Center City Jazz Festival Creative Director Ernest Stuart, will join the traveling troupes from Transe Express and STREB during the 2018 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Various local dancers and actors will join Ernest Stuart during the World Premiere of Transe Express's Cristal Palace, direct from France, on the banks of the Schuylkill River June 1-10, 2018. West Philadelphia native DJ Matthew Law will add his party rocking musical stylings to the Philadelphia Premiere of STREB's SEA (Singular Extreme Actions) June 5-7, 2018 in the Perelman Theater.

Black Panther's Letitia Wright and The Roots' Black Thought take turns working three random words they've never seen before into a freestyle rap (plus a surprise freestyle from Jimmy Fallon). Watch the clip below!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced Questlove: Creative Quest, a one-night-only discussion and book signing event on April 28. Questlove-musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council member, and all-around cultural omnivore-will discuss his new book (released on April 24) and share his thoughts on the topics of creativity, inspiration, and originality with special guest Sanford Biggers, visual and interdisciplinary artist and moderator Ben Greenman (co-author, Mo' Meta Blues).

Jimmy Fallon and Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter from The Roots just announced they'll be visiting Philadelphia on Tuesday, April 17and want to try a home-cooked meal from one lucky family. Fans can send an e-mail to SurpriseDinnerParty@TonightShow.com before Sunday, April 8 with a special recipe and why they'd like to host Jimmy and Tarik.

Genre defying R&B/Soul goddess Deva Mahal is set to release her much-anticipated debut album Run Deep on March 23 via Motéma Music, fresh off the success of her self-titled introductory EP. Run Deep was produced by Scott Jacoby (Vampire Weekend, José James, Coldplay), with two tracks produced by Jarrett Wetherell (Beyonce/FKA Twigs). The album is available to pre-order now with the track 'It's Down to You' available as an instant grat.

The six-part original series, AMC Visionaries: James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction, executive produced by legendary director James Cameron, is a uniquely intimate insiders' look at the sci-fi genre.

The Soul Rebels were the musical guest on last night's Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Watch them perform '504' with Jon Batiste and Stay Human below!

After releasing the video for 'Wrote My Way Out' last week, featuring Nas, Dave East, and Aloe Blacc, HAMILTON creator Lin-Manuel Miranda took to Twitter this morning to share a remix, featuring  Royce Da 5'9', Black Thought, and rapper Joyner Lucas.

On last night's TONIGHT SHOW, Camila Cabello joined Jimmy and The Roots in the Tonight Show Music Room to perform her international hit 'Havana' with classroom instruments