June 05, 2016
Source/YouTube
Will and Willow Smith perform "Summertime" at Ninth Annual Roots Picnic on June 4, 2016 at Festival Pier.
For nearly a decade now, Philadelphia has been honored to kick off the summer season in style courtesy of local hip-hop legends The Roots. The annual picnic at Festival Pier, a perfect collection of emerging talent and throwback prestige, was again a triumphant success on Saturday — with a cameo from none other than West Philadelphia royalty Will Smith.
In the midst of a set by 15-year-old Willow Smith, who released her debut album "Ardipithicus" last December, the charismatic hair whipper called out pops and Jazzy Jeff to regale the crowd with the 1991 classic "Summertime," originally released on "Homebase."
The rest of the night was marked by spirited performances from Blood Orange, Leon Bridges, DMX, and Usher, whose usually suave set owned the Picnic with instrumental and lyrical backing from The Roots crew, Lil Jon and Yuna. The event's only hiccup was the technically doomed and curtailed set of Future, which upset a lot of people until The Roots made up for it by playing more themselves.
Here are some sights and reactions from the show.
When I grow up, I want to be @OfficialWillow #RootsPicnic pic.twitter.com/7kEf9Jeb9s
— Allie Volpe (@allieevolpe) June 4, 2016
Still tired from the #RootsPicnic, still angry Future left, still going to buy my tickets for next year. 🔥🔥🔥
— krstyna (@notoriousyungct) June 5, 2016
Last night at #RootsPicnic, @Usher & BHF11 artist @blackthought + @theroots perform "Break U Off." 📽 by @yoitsmymy pic.twitter.com/9EBSXbODIX
— BKHipHopFest (@BKHipHopFest) June 5, 2016
When you have all access at the roots picnic pic.twitter.com/wZvm0BrUIE
— BFN (@Icongilbert) June 5, 2016
😢 RT @rootspicnic: What's My Name?! @DMX just brought it to #RootsPicnic! pic.twitter.com/evQuHboqWa
— Sally B. Shelly (@MULATTO_LOVE) June 5, 2016
Classic. Usher and Lil Jon #RootsPicnic pic.twitter.com/3qKdKPs7vv
— SLY (@GoodGuySly) June 5, 2016
I think #MuhammadAli and @questlove may have been related... pic.twitter.com/NgDlnC8fm8
— greyTRICKY (@greyTRICKY) June 5, 2016
My god so beautiful RT @ScottieBeam: The ultimate swag surf! @MetroBoomin had the place rocking at #RootsPicnic!! pic.twitter.com/Llpekrtbn8
— LowKeyUHTN (@LowKeyUHTN) June 5, 2016
@NICKIMINAJ @MeekMill goals😭💕 #lastnight #rootspicnic pic.twitter.com/EG4g0KXW8I
— ✨La'Reina✨ (@CinnamonHeroin) June 5, 2016
@NICKIMINAJ e Meek Mill com fã ontem no #RootsPicnic, Filadélfia. pic.twitter.com/aA8vIY9Wek
— Minaj Mania Brasil (@Minajmaniabr) June 5, 2016
Usher rocked the stage in a Muhammad Ali shirt for much of our set. Another Incredible #RootsPicnic! Thank you,... https://t.co/6ITe2OD4Ro
— The Roots (@theroots) June 5, 2016
