Okayplayer Exclusive: Here's What Happened at The Roots Picnic 2026

Back in March, the announcement that Jay-Z and Erykah Badu would headline the 2026 Roots Picnic immediately became one of the most talked-about festival lineups of the year. For many fans, it offered something that hadn't been felt in a while: anticipation for something that finally felt good.

By the time Memorial Day weekend arrived, anticipation had turned into a New Year’s Eve ball-drop countdown.

For two days, Philadelphia's Belmont Plateau transformed into a destination built around Black music and shared experiences. The soundtrack came from multiple stages spread across the grounds, while the smell of barbecue, seafood, cheesesteaks and soul food drifted through the air from dozens of vendors. Drinks flowed and blankets covered much of the grass throughout the festival grounds. Inflatable couches and air loungers became temporary homes for festivalgoers looking to recharge between sets or simply get comfortable for the long day ahead. And while this did cause a bit of controversy, coziness trumped the noise and complaints for many.

But everywhere you looked, there was something happening.

One moment, fans were debating whether to grab food from vendors like Aunts et Uncles, Mike's BBQ or Charles Pan Fried Chicken. The next, they were rushing toward a stage after hearing the next act being announced by the DJs who commanded the stages between sets. Dave Chappelle appeared throughout the grounds. Actor Mahershala Ali quietly moved through the artist area, graciously speaking with media while attending his first Roots Picnic. Free, from 106 & Park, sparked waves of nostalgia among attendees who grew up watching her on BET. Tyler, The Creator and Cordae were also spotted throughout the festival grounds, adding more familiar faces to an already star-studded weekend.

Like every major festival, Roots Picnic wasn't without its logistical challenges. Long lines and crowd congestion tested attendees' patience throughout the weekend. But once the music started, those frustrations often faded to black.

Saturday's biggest moment belonged to Jay-Z.

Making his first onstage performance in five years, Hov delivered a career-spanning set backed by live instrumentation from The Roots. With his locs combed out into a full afro and dressed in a denim two-piece paired with black Timberland boots, the Brooklyn icon moved effortlessly through decades of hits including "U Don't Know," "Can I Live," "Dead Presidents," "Empire State of Mind" and "Public Service Announcement."

The set felt like a celebration of hip-hop history and a return to Jay-Z's rap roots. Before settling into the hits, Jay-Z generated one of the weekend's most talked-about moments with an a cappella freestyle that appeared to reference several rappers and longtime rivals: Dame Dash, Oschino, Ye, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Tory Lanez. The performance immediately sparked conversation online and throughout the festival grounds.

Later, during "Run This Town," Jay-Z sidestepped Ye's verse entirely, pivoting instead into portions of his 2006 "Grammy Family Freestyle."

Jazmine Sullivan joined him for "Feelin' It" before treating fans to a performance of "Need U Bad." When the opening notes of "No Church in the Wild" kicked off, some attendees briefly wondered whether Frank Ocean might make a surprise appearance, but that speculation was short-lived. Instead, Jay called on Philadelphia native Bilal to handle Ocean's chorus and The-Dream's bridge.

Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk and Young Gunz — all dressed in matching black Carhartt outfits — transformed portions of the set into a Roc-A-Fella and State Property reunion, a moment that felt especially meaningful for fans who came of age during that era. Shortly after, Meek Mill's performance of "Dreams and Nightmares" nearly shook the grounds beneath the stage.

At multiple points throughout the evening, Jay-Z paid tribute to The Roots, acknowledging the group's influence on his own artistic growth and referencing their work together on his 2001 MTV Unplugged live album.

Earlier in the day, Brandy delivered one of the weekend's strongest vocal performances, effortlessly balancing intricate choreography with records that reminded attendees why she remains one of R&B's most influential artists. She also welcomed pioneering rapper Yo-Yo to the stage before bringing out Monica, creating one of the loudest crowd reactions of the weekend and giving fans who missed their recent tour a reunion they likely weren't expecting.

Jermaine Dupri turned his set into a celebration of So So Def's legacy, bringing out Da Brat, Bow Wow, YoungBloodz and Dem Franchize Boyz for a run through records that reminded attendees just how deeply the label's influence stretches across multiple generations of hip-hop and R&B fans. The surprise appearances transformed the performance into one of the weekend's biggest nostalgia-filled moments.

Philadelphia native Bilal delivered one of the weekend's most warmly received sets, drawing a response from a crowd that has followed his journey for years. Few artists embody the musical DNA of Roots Picnic quite like Bilal, whose longstanding ties to The Roots, Soulquarians-era movement and the Okayplayer community have made him a beloved fixture within the culture.

Mariah The Scientist drew one of the weekend's largest daytime crowds, continuing her rise as one of contemporary R&B's most in-demand voices, while De La Soul moved through classics like "Oodles of O's" and "A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" before welcoming Talib Kweli to the stage for crowd favorites including "The Blast" and "Get By."

Although attendees might have been winded by Saturday, the momentum continued on Sunday.

Kehlani returned to Roots Picnic for the first time in a decade. Speaking with Okayplayer before taking the stage, she admitted the moment felt new despite having performed at the festival years earlier.

"You know what's crazy? Not that I forgot that, but I was reminded the other day when Roots posted me performing," she said. "To me, this feels like my debut performance at Roots Picnic."

The singer closed her set with "Folded," as fans loudly sang along to nearly every lyric, creating a karaoke-like moment.

T.I. reminded attendees why his catalog is inarguably one of the strongest in rap, running through records like "Top Back," "U Don't Know Me," "Why You Wanna," "Whatever U Like" and "Live Your Life" as fans rapped along word for word.

One of the weekend's defining hip-hop moments came courtesy of Black Thought and J. Period's live mixtape. The pair assembled a lineup that included Wale and surprise appearances from Big Daddy Kane and Conway the Machine, turning their set into a celebration of lyricism and legacy. Kane transported the crowd back to rap's foundations with "Ain't No Half-Steppin'," while Wale kept the energy high with performances that included "Pretty Girls" and a verse over Amerie's "1 Thing."

The festival also paid tribute to 50 years of Go-Go music, with Noochie and Kenny Burns hosting a celebration of the genre's enduring legacy and influence. The moment served as another reminder that Roots Picnic prides itself in honoring musical history as much as it does showcasing today's biggest acts.

Elsewhere, Ledisi and Adam Blackstone paid tribute to Whitney Houston while also honoring one of Black cinema's most beloved soundtracks through Waiting to Exhale. Corinne Bailey Rae, Destin Conrad, KWN, Andra Day, Tamar Braxton, Yolanda Adams and Chanté Moore also delivered memorable performances throughout the weekend.

By Sunday night, May 31, Erykah Badu brought the weekend to a close. Introduced by comedian Deon Cole, Badu emerged wearing a mushroom-like headpiece and accompanied by live musicians and The Alchemist.

Her fluid performance moved between beloved records like "On & On," "Appletree," "I Want You," "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)" and "You Got Me" alongside Black Thought.

"I hooked up with The Alchemist last summer, we made an album," she told the crowd. "I know y'all waiting on that album, but we're gonna take our time until we get it right."

Prior to the performance, The Alchemist hinted that something special might be in store.

"You might just have to stay tuned and see," he told Okayplayer. "I don't think I'm here for the sunshine, but we'll see what happens."

His comments proved prophetic. While fans may have to wait a little longer for the full project, Badu and The Alchemist offered a preview of their forthcoming album by performing an unreleased track together during the set.

Before leaving the stage, Badu also gave a nod to Okayplayer and her longtime message board identity, "Analog Girl in a Digital World," drawing cheers from longtime fans who understood the reference.

For artists, the festival's significance is much bigger than the performances themselves.

"It means everything to me," Tierra Whack told Okayplayer. "This is one of the long-lasting festivals. One of the only festivals we have. We need more. The Roots have been a staple. It's legendary."

For Sasha Keable, performing at Roots Picnic represented a full-circle moment years in the making.

"I remember being in school when I was 15 and going on Okayplayer," she told Okayplayer. "I was so adamant that one day they'd post about me. And now I'm talking to you."

And while the headliners commanded much of the attention, some of the weekend's most important contributors had a more difficult job: maintaining the vibe off of tunes alone.

DJs including Jazzy Jeff, Funk Flex, DJ Diamond Kuts and Miss Milan kept the energy moving between performances, providing the connective tissue that tied the entire weekend together.

As attendees packed up blankets, folded inflatable couches and slowly made their way toward the exits Sunday night, it was difficult to disagree with Tierra Whack's sentiment. For one weekend, Belmont Plateau became a gathering place for artists, fans and generations of music lovers alike. It also stands as a reminder of why Roots Picnic remains one of the most anticipated and impactful events on the festival calendar.