THE ROOTS PICNIC 2026: JAY Z
THE ROOTS PICNIC OWES ME NOTHING!!!! This was my Day 1 experience although I attended Both days.
I don’t even know how to begin to explain how SUPER DOPE AND AMAZING THE ROOTS PICNIC 2026 was this year. I have been going every year since the 1st one, although I have missed a few years. The past 10 years, however, I’ve been consistent and at everyone they’ve had. Last year was probably one of the worst and only bad experiences due to location and weather but they made up for it this year for sure.
So where do I begin?
I started my journey after work, Friday, May, 29th, by heading to NYC on the Bus at midnight and arriving to Chinatown around 5 a.m in the morning, Saturday. I then hopped on the F-train to 34th Street because it’s a MUST that I stop into my favorite diner, TICK TOCK, for a bite to eat.
After eating I walked to my bus which would take me to the Northside of Philly. I caught the 90min bus across from Jacob-Javitts center on 11th Ave. This bus leaves every 2hrs so I caught the 8:30a.m bus so I had enough time to arrive in Philadelphia, find a spot to leave my bags and sleep after the picnic, then figure out how I was going to get to BELMONT PLATEAU which is where the Roots Picnic 2026 was being held.
To know me is to know, I wing a lot of shyt. I pack at the very last second, Literally, while, “Just Throw It In tha Bag” by FABOLOUS, plays in my head. I plan hotels and flights some times up to the night before I am suppose to be somewhere. I plan according to my funds and priority and it works out somehow. This was no different.
I bought tickets months ago. I always get tickets and figure it all out later. I always get General Admission because it makes no sense to get VIP. The picnic, to me, doesn’t require all of that. I like to walk around and mingle. All you’re really getting is Charging station access, restroom and close up to stage, which my Canon Powershot 360HS allows me a 48x zoom, a cash bar regardless and maybe a few free items, which gives more things to carry and keep up with so yeah, GA is okay with me.
I couldn’t find a reasonable hotel to stay in so I got a Hostel, which, since I was alone and didn’t require much, and I’m frugal, it was perfect and inexpensive for 2 nights. Best of all, it was along the bus route that would get me directly to the park. I had plans to take Uber which would’ve cost me time, traffic and $25-30 one way. The City bus, #38, got me there in about 35 minutes and it only cost $2.90. There were others who also took the bus.
When I arrived, the crowded line moved fast. Doors opened at 1 p.m but I arrived around 1:45 p.m. They had it organized and I was able to get in within 30 minutes, give or take. The line was LITTT! There were so many Dope people I met on the line alone so I knew the mingle inside would be even better. One thing I never worry about when going to events alone is, making a new friend.
After taking some photos, I walked in and immediately went to the area with vendors to purchase merch from. There were so many dope Black Owned Businesses. I stopped by each one and decided on who I would purchase from. I would have loved to spend with them all but I bought a T-shirt from a HS Designer, Malik Jones, who is from OVERBROOK High School which is in Philly. He won a contest and was able to design the Logo for The ROOTS PICNIC 2026.
I also purchased a bag from Envious Vegan Handbags and a handmade, African bracelet from a Kenya brand, @CConnect360 (follow them on IG)
I had grabbed a bit to eat while heading to the park purposely because I knew the food truck lines inside of the park were going to be Outrageous. And I was right. I did, however, hit the Tito’s booth to grab me a drink. It’s my Favorite Vodka. Then I made my way to the Stage where DJ Diamond Kuts was rocking.
Along the way I passed folks who were in True Picnic form.
There were people who brought blankets to sit on, blow up pools and blow up chairs. They brought playing cards and I also seen a few board games. A few folks took time to catch a tan and many just mingled and met new friends. And because it has become a tradition for me, Of course I found a Double Dutch group who let me catch a jump. *check me out* ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Me jumping DD
There were games, there were Photographers capturing candid moments, and there were Artist who were creating in Real Time. There was the Main AT&T Stage on the right and the PLATEAU Stage was on the left. That side had DJ Jazzy Jeff, a 50 Years of GO-GO tribute and Jermaine Dupri but my favorite was getting to see BILAL.
I wandered around a bit and sat to drink a tasty Purple Lemonade, then headed to the Main AT&T Stage which was where I would stay the remainder of Day 1. I posted up just in time to see Comedian, Deon Cole who brought De La Soul to the stage. I’ve been a fan of this Legendary group since ’89 and I was hyped when they also brought out Talib Kweli. They gave a Dope Azz performance.
At 7:15 p.m Brandy hit the stage in a tribute retro outfit of Cross Colours, the popular name brand from the 90’s. She brought out the beautiful and Legendary Yo-Yo and I wasn’t too surprised she also brought Monica out. It was a great set. I wanted to ‘Be Down’.
You can check it out here:
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Brandy (2 of 2)
Its a little after 9 p.m. At Last, the moment we’d ALL been waiting for. Brooklyn’s Own. In Philly. The HEADLINER for this years ROOTS PICNIC 2026. Shawn Carter, Hov, Jigga’Jigga, that Nigah’Jigga, Beyonce’s Husband, Jay Z, came out. Everyone’s phones had their videos turned on to be sure to capture this Historical Moment. I, on the other hand, got my videos on my Canon camera.
Music started playing. We hear an interview of Jay talking while hands are clapping. Then The Roots band start playing an intro instrumental and then Stop. We went Crazy! Its dark, yet theres spot lights. Then there a fog of smoke and we see Jay Z Bless the stage in an All Black fit and a large wild Afro. The crowd went Crazy.
Jay comes out and theres so much fog he looks like a ghost coming in the heat of the night. HOVI BABY started with THE ROOTS playing LIVE instruments behind him. It was LOUD and it almost felt like a rock concert. You could feel the grass sinking from all of the jumping and moving and excitement and this was just the First Classic performed for the night. -> ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Hovi Baby
Hov got right to it. He gave us a Freestyle getting at some folks who cant seem to keep HIS name Out their mouths, and IYKYK who he was speaking Directly to. He addressed things that have been said for years. This was Jay’s first time out in a lotta years. He’s celebrating 30 years in the game. He had to set some facts straight. AND DID!
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Freestyle
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Jigga WHAT
“Jigga What” started playing and the beat made us extra hyped. We rapped along with him like it was Our song. The list of surprise guest he brought to the stage made the set that much better. I got more of Bilah when he helped sing the hook to “No Church in the Wild”.
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Ft. bilal
In true BROOKLYN from, Jay had to remind us where he’s from. (Marcy, son. Aint Nuttin’Nice”). Shawn Carter reminded us to Get-That-DirtOffYaShoulders… Then Re-Reminded us where he was from, “NEW YORK. CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!” When Jazmine Sullivan came out and helped with “Feelin’It” I almost lost it. Then he gave us “Dead Presidents” which let me know what direction he was heading in.
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Where Im From,,,
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Dirt off ya Shoulders
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z New York, New York
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Ft. Jazmine Sullivan
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z Dead Presidents
AND I noticed there was a Foggy Full Moon.
What looked like a storm coming just turned out to be a surprise STATE PROPERTY-ROC-A-FELLA Reunion Live on stage. If you ever want to see me loose my mind, bring Memphis Bleek out. I went StOoOOpid! The voice I had left was taken away with all of my screams at this point. Beanie Sigel, Peedi Crakk, Freeway,,, WHAT!
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z, Memphis Bleek
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z, State Property, Roc-A-Fella
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z, State Property, Roc-A-Fella 2
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z, Freeway
To end the night in True, PHILLY style, Of Course Jay brought out Meek Mill to do his Timeless Classic, “Dreams and Nightmares”. The crowd chanted along and waited for the most important drop of the song to GO WILD! I’m Almost sure we could be heard in the entire State of Pennsylvania.
ROOTS PICNIC 2026: Jay Z – Meek Mill
When it was time to head out, I was floating on Cloud 9. This first Day of the ROOTS PICNIC 2026 was beyond AMAZING. It was one of the Best Experiences to date. I wasn’t sure how I would survive Day 2 (but I did). It was also a very eventful time. I didn’t blog day 2 however I will post videos on my Youtube page of some of the performances by J.Period Mixtape ft. Black Thought.
If you’ve never been to the ROOTS PICNIC, I highly recommend you plan on attending ROOTS PICNIC 2027. Meet Me There. Thank Me Later!
Thank You so much for reading.
AND AS ALWAYS, SPREAD LOVE ITS THE BKLYN TYE WAY!