Erykah Badu & Jay-Z to Headline Roots Picnic 2026 Lineup

Erykah Badu will headline the second night of the 2026 Roots Picnic, joining Jay-Z as a top billing performer at the annual Philadelphia music festival, organizers announced Friday.

Badu is scheduled to perform on May 31, following Jay-Z’s performance on May 30, marking his first live performance since appearing with Beyoncé during her Cowboy Carter Tour in June 2023, according to festival organizers.

The full lineup for the festival, which will be held at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, also includes Kehlani, Brandy, T.I., Mariah the Scientist, De La Soul, Corinne Bailey Rae, Bilal, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, among others. The move to Belmont Plateau marks a fresh location for the festival, previously held at other venues in Philadelphia.

Beyond individual performances, the festival will feature a live mixtape set with J. Period, Wale, and Black Thought of The Roots. Jermaine Dupri will host a showcase with a lineup of special guests. A celebration of the 50th anniversary of Go-Go music, hosted by Noochie & Kenny Burns of Baller Alert and Front Porch, is also planned.

A tribute to the soundtrack of the film Waiting to Exhale, curated by Adam Blackstone, will feature performances by Yolanda Adams, Ledisi, Tamar Braxton, and Andra Day. DJs including Funk Flex, DJ Diamond Kuts, DJ Cash Money, DJ Doc B, and DJ Miss Milan will perform between sets throughout the weekend.

Shawn Gee, Manager of The Roots and President of Live Nation Urban, described the move to Belmont Plateau and the inclusion of Jay-Z as “bucket-list moments” for the festival, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Tickets for the 2026 Roots Picnic are currently available for purchase.