{"id":5051,"date":"2026-03-17T16:28:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2026\/03\/jay-z-the-roots-to-headline-roots-picnic-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T16:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:28:27","slug":"jay-z-the-roots-to-headline-roots-picnic-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2026\/03\/jay-z-the-roots-to-headline-roots-picnic-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Jay-Z & The Roots to Headline \u2018Roots Picnic 2026\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/p>\n

Organizers shared that Jay-Z along with Grammy-award-winning multi-platinum hip-hop luminaries The Roots, will headline the Saturday, May 30 date of the 2026 installment of the Roots Picnic.<\/span><\/p>\n

This announcement comes days after organizers shared that this year\u2019s popular event will move from the Mann Center to the Belmont Plateau.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, organizers stated, \u201cwe heard you, new venue, better experience,\u201d and outlined planned improvements based on attendee feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n

Organizers said there will be an upgraded Roots Picnic app and SMS service that will allow better communication, an added second entrance to reduce lines and speed up entry, more Roots Picnic ambassadors inside and outside the festival and improved premium experiences for general admission and VIP ticket holders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMoving the Roots Picnic to Belmont Plateau and bringing JAY-Z and The Roots together to perform are both bucket-list moments for us,\u201d Manager of The Roots and President of Live Nation Urban Shawn Gee said. \u201cAfter meeting with Mayor Cherelle Parker and hearing her vision for Philadelphia 250, she truly inspired us to dream even bigger, and we\u2019re grateful to her, Commissioner Susan Slawson, Jazelle Jones and everyone who helped make it happen. We can\u2019t wait to see everyone in May at the Plat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

JAY-Z has close ties to Philadelphia. In the early 2000s, his record label Roc-A-Fella Records featured several Philadelphia artists, including Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk and Young Chris who were part of the hip-hop group State Property. Freeway\u2019s 2002 single \u201cWhat We Do,\u201d which features JAY-Z and Beanie Sigel, is considered by many to be a Philadelphia anthem.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rapper\u2019s \u201cUnplugged\u201d album from 2001 also featured the Roots as his backing band.<\/span><\/p>\n

JAY-Z also founded the Made in America Festival, a two-day music festival that was held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway every Labor Day between 2012 and 2022 except for 2020 in which it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roots Picnic will be held on May 30 and May 31, 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A post shared by Roots Picnic (@rootspicnic)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n