Photo Credit: Marc Millman

Today, the new PBS series Next at The Kennedy Center has announced the subject of its third episode. Shared via a press release, the folks behind the program will broadcast the inaugural artist of the Center’s Hip Hop Culture Program, The Roots, on Friday, Jan. 27, at 9 p.m. 

“For more than 50 years, PBS and the Kennedy Center have shared a joint mission to bring the best of the performing arts to the American public,” offered Sylvia Bugg, chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming at PBS.

She continued, “Next at The Kennedy Center showcases the richness of the nation’s stage, helping to contextualize the cultural impact of contemporary artists like The Roots, who are not only extraordinary musicians but passionate community leaders. As the series continues, we look forward to sharing a diversity of genres and stories.”

Known for their exemplary live performances that blend genres like hip-hop, soul, jazz and funk, The Roots have electrified the stage with sold-out performances by frontmen Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, who are joined by EZY Truth, a Washington, D.C.-based hip-hop artist and member of Black Thought’s “School of Thought,” a mentoring program for aspiring emcees during the program.

Next at The Kennedy Center is a new series that showcases primetime performance specials while shining the light on the Kennedy Center’s contemporary cultural program by weaving together performances filmed live at The Kennedy Center with off-stage moments and first-person commentary. 

The Roots Residency premieres via Next at The Kennedy Center on Friday, Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. E.T., on PBS, PBS.org, and on the PBS Video App.