Although Hip Hop is no stranger to Broadway (remember Diddy‘s stint with Broadway’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun,‘ revival and Jim Jones‘ off-Broadway production,‘Hip Hop Monologues‘?), it has not invested much in that particular stream of cultural capital. However, this may change withThe Roots‘ ?uestlove enlisting big names like Jay-Z and Will Smith to take a stake in the Broadway play “Fela!” an autobiographical musical about legendary musician Fela Kuti.
?uestlove, who is already an associate producer for the show, is in talks with Jay-Z and WillSmith about becoming co-producers as well, in hopes of creating buzz and building funds for the show. The musical is still in the previews stage, and will officially open on Nov. 23. “My job is to be the mouthpiece,” said TheRoots drummer, who also said he wanted to build “some sort of cool factor that can at least catch the ear of a power player for Hollywood and the industry.” He added that he previously reached out to singer Beyonce to watch the show. “This play really hit Beyonce in the gut, which in turn really hit [Jay-Z] in the gut, and he was excited about it,” he said.
RapperK’NAAN has urged artists like Nas and Mos Def to see the play, while ?uestlove has encouraged fellow musicians Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys to watch it. Jay-Z and Will Smith‘s have not yet officilly been taken on as investors for the project.
In other news, Estelle and Ludacris appeared at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta on Thursday night to pay tribute to the late Otis Redding, the man behind classic songs like “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” and who penned Aretha Franklin‘s “Respect.”
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”I’m just trying to do his song justice,” Estelle said of “Satisfaction.” “I hope I come close to making the song sound great just like him.”
Ludacris, who was also honored for his foundation’s outreach programs sat next to Redding‘s family, including his wife and children. ‘‘I’m just a fan of Otis Redding,” the rapper said. ”His legacy will live forever and he has been one of the major influences in who I am. It’s as simple as that.”
Also in attendance were singer AnthonyHamilton, KannyLattimore, ChanteMoore, and others.
