For Immediate Release
April 05, 2024
Contact Information

Jen Luzzo
Director of Public Relations, Classical
(201) 572-9364
jkluzzo@kennedy-center.org

(BPRW) Three-Time 2024 Grammy Award®–Winning Rap Artist Killer Mike Joins the National Symphony Orchestra

May 21, 2024 Kennedy Center Concert Hall

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON — Rap artist, civic leader, and activist Killer Mike—winner of three 2024 Grammy Awards®—will join the National Symphony Orchestra in a new, original orchestra program. The evening-length concert will feature new arrangements from Killer Mike’s critically acclaimed album Michael, led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke. This will be the orchestra’s first self-produced collaboration with a rap artist since its concert with Common in 2017.

Michael, Atlanta rapper Killer Mike’s sixth solo album and his first in over a decade, was awarded Best Rap Album last month at the 2024 Grammy Awards®. The album was hailed for its “musical adventurism” by Slate and for its “startling depth and warmth” as it reflects on his personal journey.

The National Symphony Orchestra has a long history of artistic innovation, collaborating with artists across genres. Most recently, the NSO’s collaboration with Maxwell sold out the Kennedy Center Concert Hall for four consecutive nights, and the orchestra has pushed the boundaries of orchestral music by performing with luminaries such as Nas (2014), Kendrick Lamar (2015), and Common (2017). Additionally, recent collaborations with artists Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros, Audra McDonald, Anoushka Shankar, Pharrell, Black Girls Rock, Jacob Collier, Laufey, and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds and his Declassified series, underscore the orchestra's commitment to diverse and boundary-pushing programming.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets ($49–$169) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4600; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

PROGRAM LISTING

Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival with the National Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Steven Reineke, conductor
Killer Mike
The Mighty Midnight Revival
National Symphony Orchestra 

Killer Mike will join the National Symphony Orchestra in a new, original evening-length performance. The concert will feature new arrangements from Killer Mike’s critically acclaimed album Michael, led by Principal Pops conductor Steven Reineke.  This will be the orchestra’s first self-produced collaboration with a rap artist since its concert with Common in 2017.

Artists and performances are subject to change.

FUNDING CREDITS

The NSO Pops Presenting Sponsor is AARP.

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