It was a magic musical takeover when pianist, composer, producer and recording artist Robert Glasper and orchestra director Derrick Hodge fantastically blended the music of American music jazz icon Duke Ellington and hip-hop hero J Dilla on the Kennedy Heart on March 30.
“Robert Glasper—Black Radio: A Duke x Dilla Celebration” live performance, a part of the Kennedy Heart’s ongoing collection “Ellington 125,” showcased Ellington and Dilla’s and work left audiences with a style of the artists’ world affect on music
Featured performers included celebrated artists Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, DJ Karriem Riggins, and the 2 residing members of the rap group De La Soul.
Initially of “Duke x Dilla Celebration,” Glasper famous the importance of the live performance’s date, March 30.
“I don’t even know if that is by probability, however it simply so occurs that 10 years in the past right this moment, hip-hop got here to the Kennedy Heart. That makes this much more particular,” stated Glasper, a Kennedy Heart’s Hip-Hop Tradition Council member.
Worthy Historic Musical Tributes
Ellington’s affect on American music is unquestioned. The D.C. native’s music not solely influenced jazz, however classical music, widespread music and even the District’s native sound go-go.
Nevertheless, J Dilla is probably not as broadly identified. A Detroit native who died in 2006 at age 32, Dilla’s work was spectacular and never simply in hip-hop. He was a member of two teams, Slum Village and the Soulquarians.
Dilla additionally produced singles and remix tasks for artists similar to Janet Jackson, The Pharcyde, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, Model New Heavies, Erykah Badu, Poe, Talib Kweli, Frequent and De La Soul. Dilla’s mom, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, was on the Kennedy Live performance and acquired the DC Mayor’s workplace accolades for her son’s work.
Every time five-time Grammy winner Glasper involves the Kennedy Heart, he reminds us why he’s thought of a prolific music artist. Glasper and Hodge, the two-time Grammy winner who carried out the Black Radio Orchestra and organized the music for this live performance, all the time take audiences means past the music recording.
They opened this celebration with a stunning piano and orchestral association of Ellington’s “Take the ‘A’ Prepare.” Glasper performed round with the viewers about not having his setlist, a ploy to deliver out Bilal to wild applause.
Bilal, who typically performs as a part of “Black Radio,” started by singing, “It Don’t Imply a Factor.” Subsequent, the viewers heard a protracted orchestral introduction, with the guitarist sampling The Blackbyrds’ “Rock Creek Park,” which transitioned to Ellington’s “Caravan.” That music segue was pure artwork.
“It was good to work in that nod to D.C.,” stated viewers member and Northwest, D.C. resident Juan Dunlap concerning the pairing of The Blackbyrds and Ellington.
Give Us Extra ‘Black Radio’
Glasper launched Lalah Hathaway, one other of his “Black Radio” vocalists. She and Bilal carried out “In a Sentimental Temper,” which showcased their multi-octave vary.
We later heard Hathaway sing “The Look of Love” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Drummer, rapper and producer DJ Karriem Riggins carried out, bringing his connection to Dilla.
De La Soul was dropped at the stage with two authentic members, Vincent Mason, referred to as Mase, and Kelvin Mercer, referred to as Pos or Posdnuos. There was a whole lot of love within the Kennedy Heart Live performance Corridor because the viewers rapped together with the group’s hits. The Grammy-winning group continues to carry out strongly following the February 2023 loss of life of their fellow founding member David Jolicoeur, referred to as Trugoy the Dove.
Hathaway returned singing the sluggish jam “Love Ballad,” which sped up and hooked into an added rap with De La Soul.
The sold-out “Duke x Dilla Celebration” illustrated the great thing about Glasper’s genius. He deliberately offers us an irresistible, seamless music combine we didn’t know we would have liked.
