Hip Hop Culture has and continues to serve as one of America’s (and the world’s) greatest contributions to the arts.

The Kennedy Center recognizes how important it is to invest in, to build and to maintain Hip Hop as a staple in our world via transforming communities through art and action.

And according to the Center’s website, it “aims to create a dynamic home for Hip Hop Culture and celebrate Hip Hop’s role as a catalyst for innovation, exploration, and transformation with a dynamic mix of performances, humanities events, film screenings, workshops and interactive experiences, in person and online.”

So this message from legendary rapper Q-Tip was powerful.

Check out his special message below.