The Roots have made a career by musically taking hip-hop to uncharted waters, and now the band is physically bringing its music to a road less traveled.
They'll perform January 17 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's prestigious Lincoln Center, a location known for its rich history of opera and ballet performances.
Talib Kweli, Roots protégé Jaguar Wright and Large Professor will be the opening acts for the night, which, with the exception of a show by turntablist faction the X-ecutioners in July 2000, will be the first hip-hop concert ever held at the hall. (MCs have also graced the stage at the Lincoln Center's Metropolitan Opera House during the 1999 and 2001 MTV Music Video Awards).
"The Roots have shown a lot of interest in the show and are very excited about it," said show promoter Billy Harman. "They realize how it could be a memorable show in the history of hip-hop. We have a whole lot of special guests to make it a really exciting show."
A portion of the show's proceeds will benefit World Trade Center charities.
The Roots can currently be heard as the backup band for Jay-Z on his Jay-Z Unplugged album (see "Roots' ?uestlove Gives Backstage Access To Jay-Z Unplugged). Their next studio album, Phrenology, is due in the summer.
