Black Thought News

Listen to Dave Harris’ Freedom Freedom Freedom Et Cetera presented by Playwrights Horizons.

'I Lift Weights' is like a sonic shot of pre-workout that pumps you up and ignites your spirit. This dynamic track, produced by the powerhouse collaboration of Eshu, TKgotdamix, Drum Smoke, and Preach Balfour, featuring a captivating vocal sample from NFL legend Joe Haden, originates from Eshu's unwavering excitement.

GRAMMY® Award-winning legendary MC and The Roots Co-Founder Black Thought and acclaimed cinematic soul luminary El Michels Affair uncover a new single entitled “I’m Still Somehow.” They revealed the title track “Glorious Game” (feat. KIRBY) earlier this month.

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express by Ken Ludwig, directed by Casey Hushion. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

Diddy will headline and Ms. Lauryn Hill will co-headline and perform the entirety of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – a rare event­– to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the seminal album’s release. Award-winning American comedian, screenwriter, television and film producer, and actor Dave Chappelle will make his “Roots Picnic” debut.

GRAMMY® Award-winning legendary MC and The Roots Co-Founder Black Thought and acclaimed cinematic soul luminary El Michels Affair share a new single entitled “That Girl” via Big Crown Records. They initially paved the way for Glorious Game with “Grateful.” Beyond tallying half-a-million streams and counting.

The performance will feature Big Boi, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Future, GloRilla, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio/Ethiopian King, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, The Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, and more. LL COOL J will introduce the segment.

Cementing an undeniable union, GRAMMY® Award-winning legendary MC and The Roots Co-Founder Black Thought joins forces with acclaimed cinematic soul luminary El Michels Affair for a collaborative LP titled Glorious Game.

Performance Space New York has announced the Spring 2023 season of its Healing Series, the second part of its year-long reflection on the political potency of healing and the role performance plays in it, in the midst of what feels like a momentous shift in art-making to foreground modes and practices of care.

The song notably serves as the end credits theme for the documentary LOUDMOUTH about the life and battles of Reverend Al Sharpton. The film opens in theaters nationwide on December 9 and premieres on Amazon and Apple TV January 13, 2023. It was directed by Josh Alexander and executive produced by EGOT® winner John Legend.

​​​​​​​WNYC Studios and Brown Arts Institute at Brown University announce the November 15 launch of the fifth season of HELGA, a podcast hosted by critically acclaimed performing artist Helga Davis.

Anchored by an unforgettable concert in the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall, the special explores how The Roots continue to push the boundaries of their art form while using their platform as the inaugural artist-in-residence of the Center’s Hip Hop Culture Program to foster the next generation of cultural leaders.

Carolines on Broadway, New York City’s premier comedy venue, announces its talented line-up for the month of November, with headliners Christina P, from her Netflix special 'Mom Genes,' November 4 and 5; Ms. Pat, as part of the New York Comedy Festival and from her BET+ series The Ms. Pat Show, November 10 - 12; and Akaash Singh, from his YouTube stand-up special 'Bring Back Apu,' November 17 - 19; and Scott Seiss, from his YouTube sketch series 'Angry Retail Guy,' Thanksgiving Weekend, November 25 and 26.

The Kennedy Center has announced events and performances for the months of November– December 2022, featuring Elektra, the Dover Quartet and more. 

The best of Broadway was at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Thursday, where The Piano Lesson, directed by Tony Award nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson and starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Danielle Brooks, opened on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the arrivals and you can check out photos of Patti LuPone, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and more on the red carpet below!

The Den Theatre will present comedian Mo Amer, playing four stand-up performances December 2 & 3, 2022 on The Heath Mainstage.

The Kennedy Center has announced all September-October programming, featuring Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen Shear Madness, and more. See the full schedule here!

For the first time in years, legendary Afrobeat artist and Kuti family scion SEUN KUTI & EGYPT 80 are relentlessly touring the globe with their ongoing US, UK, and European tour, hitting stops at major festivals and unique venues along the way. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 will be performing classic anthems and songs from their catalogue—including the most recent Grammy®-nominated album Black Times—alongside new material.

The Kennedy Center's Hip Hop Culture and Contemporary Music program has announced its initial programming for the 2022–2023 season. The season deepens the mission of Hip Hop Culture at the Center by highlighting multi-hyphenate artists and creators in the world of hip hop and honors Contemporary Music's diverse musical genres and audiences by celebrating important artistic voices who have helped shape the canon, defied categorization, and propelled us into the future.

Freddie Gibbs and A-Trak join Meechy Darko on a new track. The hard driving song “On GOD” is found on his long awaited debut album, Gothic Luxury. The track was co-produced by Jay Versace and Dot Da Genius and finds Darko trading verses with the legendary rapper Gibbs while A-Trak adds a sweeping cinematic energy to the beat.