Dave Chappelle Residency to Bring an All-Star Lineup to Radio City Music Hall

Jordan Bailey

Since the end of his long-standing sketch show on Comedy Central, comedian Dave Chappelle has enjoyed the solitude of a hiatus. Now, the legendary stand-up is back with Netflix specials and an upcoming August residency at Radio City Music Hall in New York. On various dates from Aug. 1-24, Chappelle and his invited guests will put on a true extravaganza of comedy and music.

Chappelle is no stranger to this type of hybrid performance art. He often had music guests during the “Chappelle’s Show” run, with one notable performance coming from a young rapper named Kanye West – Chappelle gave him his first ever TV appearance. In 2004, he hosted Dave Chappelle’s Block Party in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. The event featured a combination of music and comedy with the likes of Kanye West, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and even a temporary reunion of The Fugees. The real success here came from the documentary film, directed by “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” writer Michel Gondry, which garnered box office profits in the millions. Chappelle managed to transcend comedy special norms by creating an entirely new sub-genre of performance art, and he intends to do the same with his upcoming residency.

Chappelle has outdone himself with this curated lineup at Radio City. The first week (Aug. 1-4) will see the comedian’s old friends The Roots, alongside rapper Lil Wayne on opening night. The Roots of course were a part of the now famous Block Party special and will no doubt provide live instrument renditions with Lil Wayne at the helm. During the weekend of Aug. 5-6, Chris Rock will share the stage with Dave. This comes in the midst of Rock’s worldwide “Total Blackout” tour. Joining them Saturday night will be the Roast Master General himself, Jeff Ross. Ross has made a name for himself as a fearless roaster at many of Comedy Central’s infamous roasts including those of Bob Saget, Pamela Anderson and Donald Trump. Sunday night will see Arsenio Hall take the stage. The sixty-one-year-old comedian is still touring comedy clubs around the country, not to mention tweeting with the best of them. On Aug. 9, Erykah Badu, another longtime friend and former Block Party entertainer, will perform. On the cryptically labeled night of Aug. 15, Chappelle has noted a “very special guest” will join him.

Aug. 17 will see Chance the Rapper taking a break from his busy festival schedule to join Dave. Chance, a Chicago native, had a massive upturn in success after the release of 2016’s “Coloring Book” album. The Daily Show host Trevor Noah takes on the co-hosting duties for Aug. 18, this after the recent release of his memoirs “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.” Childish Gambino, the rapper name of actor-comedian Donald Glover, will perform on the Aug. 19 show. Glover has historically been quiet about his intentions when it comes to performing, but because the bill lists Gambino specifically, it’s safe to assume Glover will be rapping.  The following night will find former Fugee’s lead singer Ms. Lauryn Hill performing. Hill has been on a crusade of causes, particularly focused on Africa, since her only solo album dropped back in 1998. On Aug. 23, Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, will showcase his prolific rap music alongside Chappelle. As another Block Party attendee, Bey and the host go way back. Closing out the residency is fellow comedian Ali Wong. Wong’s stand-up special “Baby Cobra” aired on Netflix on Mother’s Day of last year and subsequently received praise from all manner of famous comedians. Chappelle also notes the last night will feature more “very special guests.”

Dave Chappelle’s Radio City Music Hall residency runs various dates from Aug. 1 through Aug. 24. Tickets can be purchased here.