Roots Picnic is back, and it's fresh for 2022. The annual music festival created and curated by The Roots in their hometown of Philadelphia had to fall back for the past two years because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, but it is officially making its return this June to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Growing from one day into a two-day event, this year's festivities will happen on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th at The Mann at Fairmount Park.
Just like in past years, the 2022 Roots Picnic will kick off Black Music Month with a bang with a dope lineup of acts showcasing the range of Black music. Soul and R&B will be well-represented by headliner Mary J. Blige who'll be accompanied by The Roots. Fresh from the release of her new album Good Morning Gorgeous and after commanding the stage during her segment of the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Blige will make her Roots Picnic debut for what's being called a "once-in-a-lifetime set."
Other big name performers include Philly's own Jazmine Sullivan, R&B It girl Summer Walker, Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Wizkid and contemporary jazz master Kamasi Washington. Robert Glasper, Bilal, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rakim, Masego, Tierra Whack, Yebba, Muni Long, Alex Isley, Ambre, Mumu Fresh, Tone Stith, Durand Bernarr and Aquil Dawud are amongst the slew of artists scheduled to take the stage during the weekend.
There'll also be some exclusive live performances that you'll only find at a Roots Picnic. Plan to witness an epic Soulquarians jam session with Keyshia Cole, SWV and Musiq Soulchild, and J Period reprising his Live Mixtape in a performance with Black Thought, Rick Ross and Benny The Butcher.
Kirk Franklin and Tye Tribbet will be on hand to deliver some gospel goodness, while another festival first-timer, Mickey Guyton, will bring her country music stylings to the Roots Picnic stage. Two of Philadelphia's finest DJs, DJ Diamond Kuts and DJ Aktive, will also be there to put on for their city.
In addition to the music all weekend, Roots Picnic will also have a Live Podcast Stage. This is where attendees can sit in on live versions of some of their favorite pods such as Jemele Hill Is Unbothered and Roots Picnic co-founder Questlove's own Questlove Supreme co-starring Little Brother/The Foreign Exchange's Phonte.
Throw in food vendors, a small business marketplace and brand activations, and you've got yourself a full weekend of things to do and people to see and hear at the 2022 Roots Picnic. If this sounds like your type of hype, then you'll be glad to know that tickets are available and on sale now.
Early bird 2-Day General Admission and VIP level tickets are being sold exclusively through Ticketmaster. Eager attendees can use the code RPALUMNI to purchase now for reduced prices. Tickets for the general public go on sale on Friday, February 18th. It should be noted that prices will increase as the festival dates draw closer.
- Advertisement -If you can't make it to the 2022 Roots Picnic because of a scheduling conflict or you're still iffy about attending events with tens of thousands of people, there will be a Roots Picnic Virtual Experience on YouTube. Although the Roots Picnic schedule has yet to be determined, you can view all of the performers and podcasts that will be popping up and going down on the flyer below.