A very different philharmonic will make its debut tonight in the hallowed halls of the Kennedy Center, so don’t expect Leonard Slatkin to appear in black tie and tail, conductor’s wand poised in midair. Led by Washington-based DJ Brent “Munch” Joseph, the Hip Hop Philharmonic Project mixes live instrumentation and prerecorded samples for a sound that’s more triphop than Boston Pops. Joseph has been nurturing the idea of a live hiphop orchestra for several years. Last year, with the help of a grant from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, he was able to complete the project’s first step, a studio recording. Tonight, as part of the Hip Hop Theatre Fest 2000, he will fulfill his vision with the first live appearance of the philharmonic. Sampler at the ready, Joseph will conduct an ensemble of drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, cello, viola, trumpet, and flute at 6 p.m. at the American Film Institute’s National Film Theater, in the Kennedy Center’s Hall of States. $12. (202) 467-4600. (Holly Bass)