Usher is booked, busy and blessed in 2023. So far this year, he’s already performed numerous shows during his record-breaking My Way Vegas Residency, killed it at Dreamville Festival and slayed his Lovers & Friends Fest set. Before he resumes his Vegas residency in June, though, he has added another high-profile booking to his itinerary. Dr. Raymond has replaced Diddy as one of the headliners at the 2023 Roots Picnic scheduled to take place in Philadelphia Friday, June 2nd through Sunday, June 4th.
Brother Love was forced to drop out of next weekend’s Roots Picnic due to “unforseen circumstances,” but Usher is coming to the rescue. The Roots’ Black Thought and Questlove made the big announcement on Instagram that the “GLU” singer would be stepping in, and the news was met with glee from Roots Picnic attendees who’ve already purchased their tickets and those scrambling to purchase theirs now.
Usher will co-headline the 2023 Roots Picnic alongside Ms. Lauryn Hill who’ll perform a special set dedicated to the 25th anniversary of her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on Saturday night. The rest of the lineup remains intact, with previously announced artists Dave Chappelle, Lil Uzi Vert, Isley Brothers, Roy Ayers, Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Syd, dvsn, Kindred The Family Soul, Mary Mary, Little Brother, Coco Jones, Adam Blackstone, Rare Essence, Backyard Band, Maverick City, City Girls and many, many more scheduled to perform throughout the weekend.
The Roots Picnic’s talent roster was already amazing this year, but the last-minute addition of Usher has definitely raised the stakes. If you want to be in the number to see Usher do King Of R&B things live in Philadelphia, make a beeline to the Roots Picnic website to scoop up any remaining tickets.