Photos: The 2010 Roots Picnic Experience

Around this time every year for the past three years marks a historical day for hip hop and music in Philadelphia. The Legendary Roots Picnic…that’s right, only three years in and it’s that legendary. Aside from enjoying about 20 major artists perform in one place for only $50, you’re able to enjoy the presence of thousands of people while getting a tan. The price is definitely unbeatable as well as the experience. I was able to catch acts by Jay Electronica, Mayer Hawthorne, DJ Jazzy Jeff, THE LEGENDARY ROOTS, John Legend, and 1/1000th of the Wu-Tang Clan!!! We missed performances by Money Making Jam Boys, The Clipse, and Vampire Weekend.

Here’s Briana, one of the few friends I ran into before my disappearing act to backstage.

Visit Philly were kind enough to hook me up with an extra ticket, a media pass, and access to their tent with all you can eat and drink.

I ran into Nikki in the tent. I’ve been running into her a lot lately and our conversations don’t go pass these famous cookies she makes that I keep hearing about. Maybe after I try it I can finally compliment her on my favorite track off of Lupe’s The Cool.


Asaad was well on his way to causing trouble backstage.


Phsh was DJing for the Money Making Jam Boys set. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, from what I hear it consists of Black Thought, Dice Raw, STS, Truck North, & P.O.R.N.

I thought about stealing this and my possibilities of getting away with it.


The Vitamin Water set up.

Don’t let Thought’s tough rhymes fool you…he’s a kind man at heart.


Dice Raw and P Crack Cocaine!


I met this guy shooting for The Source. He was telling me that he wished more people did illustrations over images. I told him “what a coincidence, because we did something just like that last year.”

No introduction needed.





If you haven’t checked out Mel D Cole’s shots of the picnic yet, go ahead and do yourself a favor.



DJ Diamond Kuts, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Amanda Diva

Cory from Babylon Cartel and his fam.



Gianni Lee from Babylon Cartel shows off his girly taco meat. Go hard or go home G.

Since we in Philly…I’ll give you a Rocky shoutout. AAAAAAAAdriaaaaannn!!!

Harrison makes an appearance.

Jay Electronica is a BEAST if you didn’t already know.


Rochelle was my backstage partner. She kept me from jumping into the crowd.





Amanda Diva takes a break from her hosting duties.


Early signs of Wu-Tang chants.



Jazzy Jeff goes on for 10 seconds before his turntables die on him .


Mayer Hawthorne just got added to my iTunes rotation.






Everyone’s favorite uncle, Ron, shows up to the party.

Deniro handles Anigma Entertainment aka #TeamAnigma aka look out for Gilbere Forte’s 87 Dreams because it’s a problem.

Hustlers.

I don’t think anyone has seen Questlove all day until the performance.








John Legend makes an appearance.



Wu-Tang Clan in the building!!!







Here are the other 997 members of the clan.


I think I’m going to frame this one.