This weekend, amid the maze of inaugural balls and other President Obama re-election celebrations, there are several hip-hop flavored events taking place.
Friday, January 18th, local rappers will be the center of attention at the DMV Ball. Peter Rosenberg, a DJ at Hot 97 and MTV, has recruited a collection of top DC lyricists for a concert at the Howard Theatre. Oddisee will perform songs from his debut album People Hear What They See, then he will take the stage with his critically acclaimed group The Diamond District.
Sean Born, a Maryland rapper who also has a new CD out (Behind The Scale), will bring his classic hip-hop style to the historic Howard Theatre. Other artists on the card are Kaimbr, Quartermaine, and DJ Roddy Rod & The Low Budget Crew.
Saturday, January 19th, www.OurTime.org presents the Generation Now party at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. This event will be hosted by will.i.am, and features special performances by T-Pain, John Legend, and Common.
Sunday, January 20th, HSAN (Hip-Hop Summit Action Network) and PHILANTHROPIK team up to bring us one of the premiere parties of the weekend: The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball. Hosted by La La Anthony and Terrence J, this event will honor the musical achievements of Swizz Beats, John Legend, 2 Chainz, and Doug E. Fresh.
The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will also give special recognition awards to Dr. Benjamin Chavis - for his life-long contributions to the civil rights movement; to Rosario Dawson - for creating Voto Latino, an organization that encourages Hispanics to vote; and to MC Lyte - for her work to empower young women through her organization www.hiphopsisters.org.
The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball was created by co-chairs Russell Simmons and Zach McDaniels, and will feature performances by Meek Mill, Marsha Ambrosius, Yo-Yo, Lil Mama, Damien Escobar (hip-hop violinist), and DJ D-Nice. Other invited guests are Eva Longoria, Pharrell Williams, Jadakiss, Brandy, Lance Gross, and 9th Wonder.
The festivities wrap up on Monday, January 21st, with the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Inaugural Gala at the Smithsonian National Art Museum. The Gala will be hosted by Wayne Brady, and include entertainment by Bell Biv Devoe, MC Lyte, Jermaine Dupri, and DJ Quicksilva.
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For more information about these events:
Friday, January 18, 2013 - The DMV Ball at the Howard Theatre (620 T Street, NW) http://thehowardtheatre.com/show/2013/01/18/the-dmv-ball/
Saturday, January 19, 2013 - The Generation Now Party at the Donald Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture (8th and F Streets, NW) http://www.ourtime.org/inauguration/
Sunday, January 20, 2013 - The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center (610 F Street, NW) http://www.eventfarm.com/HIB2013
Monday, January 21, 2013 - The BET Inaugural Gala at the Smithsonian National Art Museum (8th and F Streets, NW) http://www.thebetgala.com/
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