The 2024 Roots Picnic kicked off June 1-2 at The Mann at Fairmount Park where a sold-out crowd of over 60,000 festivalgoers flooded the park to see their favorite artists across three stages.
As June takes the spotlight as the host of Black Music Month, it was only right that the 16th annual Roots Picnic commenced on the first of the month and in the birthplace of where this historical event originated.
Philly isn’t just the birthplace of America. It’s also where Black Music Month (or African American Music Appreciation Month, according to former president Barack Obama) was born.
The celebration of honoring cultural and historical contributions by Black musicians has deep roots in Philadelphia thanks to producer Kenny Gamble, radio host and activist Dyana Williams, and DJ Ed Wright. Now, Hip-Hop icons and legendary figures from Philadelphia like The Roots are continuing that celebration by drawing thousands of locals and visitors to the city every year.
And a mix of black artists from all generations is invited because it’s essential to honor all contributors to black music to preserve it, rather than focusing solely on a select few.
As music, specifically Hip-Hop, evolves at a rapid pace, companies may find it increasingly harder to adjust to the ever-changing landscape. This raises questions about how organizations are handling the integration across the significant generation gap.
For some, there is an obvious struggle. Fortunately, the Roots Picnic has succeeded at balancing the needs of both its older and younger audiences and doesn’t seem to have this issue, at all.
Roots Picnic has always been known for its diverse lineup of genres and artists. It’s why no one batted an eye when it was announced back in February that new school artists like Leon Thomas, Sexyy Red, Gunna, and Country breakout star Shaboozey would be performing alongside legacy acts like Nas, Lil Wayne, Black Thought, Method Man & Redman and Babyface.
Day one saw a packed crowd with attendees of all ages, including children. The weather was perfect for a music festival, with clear skies and a cool breeze. Guests were spread throughout the massive park, some enjoying the roller-skating rink that overlooked the city while others participated in an intense game of spades at the Roots Picnic Spades Tournament.
R&B Only LIVE, an experience dedicated to bringing people together through their love of R&B music, took the Centennial Stage as the sunset. The orange, red, and pink sky resonated beautifully with the slow songs of Keyshia Cole, Boyz II Men and Jodeci blasting through the speakers.
Sexyy Red had one of the biggest turnouts at the festival. She definitely could have used a bigger stage to accommodate the fans that filled the seats, aisles, steps, and overhead balcony at the Presser Stage. The St. Louis rapper performed her bangers like “Get It Sexyy” and “Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Dad).” A giant pink, inflatable hat that read “MAKE AMERICA SEXYY AGAIN” floated in the background as Sexyy and her backup dancers twerked on stage.
Philadelphia’s hometown hero Jill Scott gave an explosive closing performance of some of her greatest hits and even gave fans multiple encores.
On day two, André 3000 and Amerie gave standout performances that reaffirmed their status as legendary artists. 
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 02: Andre 3000 performs New Blue Sun during the 2024 Roots Picnic at The Mann on June 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)André is well known for his lyrical prowess during his OutKast days alongside fellow rapper Big Boi, but these days, the Atlanta native has ventured into a new realm. In early last year, André revealed that he had taken on a new passion as a flutist. His 45-minute instrumental set was enough to keep the audience’s attention as much as if he had been rapping. However, it’s safe to say André’s aura could make something as mundane as eating a sandwich look captivating.
Amerie hit the stage right after rapper Scarface, singing her two biggest songs ever: the acclaimed Black summer anthem “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” and her 2005 Top 10 Billboard hit “1 Thing.” Imagine getting booked for festivals more than 20 years into one’s career to only perform two songs, akin to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” That kind of longevity and impact isn’t seen often and signifies Amerie as an icon in the music industry and pop culture, in my humble opinion. She could never make another song again and still live a comfortable life. If that’s not iconic, I don’t know what is.
Adam Blackstone & The Legacy Experience brought out gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard to lead a quick but necessary praise session with “Break Every Chain.” Tasha left the crowd on a positive high, and by the time Fantasia came out, everyone was ready to let loose. Fantasia tore the stage down with her powerhouse vocals on “Free Yourself” and “When I See You.” The songstress and actor has had an eventful year marked by her film debut in the 2023 film The Color Purple and a record-breaking award season.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 02: Adam Blackstone performs during the 2024 Roots Picnic at The Mann on June 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)
Lil Wayne closed out the last night with a tribute to New Orleans featuring Lloyd, PJ Morton, and Trombone Shorty.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 02: Lloyd and Black Thought perform during The Roots’ tribute to New Orleans at the 2024 Roots Picnic at The Mann on June 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 02: Lil Wayne performs with The Roots during the 2024 Roots Picnic at The Mann on June 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)
