Pauline Adamek
Review: The Roots Picnic Experience is now one of the Hollywood Bowl’s Greatest Summer Traditions
Three summers ago, in 2024, I reviewed The Roots Picnic—an all-star celebration of hip-hop—and ended with one simple hope: that this remarkable concept would become a staple of the Hollywood Bowl’s summer season. Three years later, that wish has become reality.
After last year’s brilliant The Roots Picnic: Class of ’95, The Roots returned once again with The Roots Picnic Experience, taking over the Bowl alongside an all-star roster including Nas, T.I., Bun B, De La Soul and a host of surprise guests. If the first concert introduced the concept and the second refined it, this year’s edition confirmed beyond doubt that The Roots Picnic has become one of the Bowl’s signature annual events.
The inaugural Hip-Hop Is the Love of My Life in 2024 set an incredibly high bar. The sold-out event brought together The Roots, Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, Black Sheep, and Jungle Brothers to celebrate the first five decades of hip-hop, and from the moment the lights went down, it was clear this would be no ordinary concert.
Thousands came to party, and the atmosphere was electric. The vibe was fun, friendly, and utterly infectious. Right from the opening moments, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter commanded the stage with his razor-sharp lyricism and magnetic charisma, striding effortlessly from one end of the stage to the other while co-founder Questlove anchored the evening from behind his drum kit, delivering the relentless, intricate rhythms that have made The Roots one of the greatest live bands of any genre. Behind them, the band’s superb brass section—saxophonist Ian Hendrickson-Smith and trumpeter David Guy—added rich jazz flourishes and impeccable precision to every performance.
The guest appearances came one after another, each one reminding the audience why these artists helped shape hip-hop history. Digable Planets opened the parade of legends with an energetic set that perfectly blended jazz rap and alternative hip-hop. Black Sheep’s appearance was a genuine rarity, with Dres reminding everyone why the group remains so beloved decades after disbanding. Jungle Brothers joined Common in a joyous collaboration that turned both sides of the stage into one giant celebration, while The Pharcyde had the Bowl erupting during the hypnotic groove of “Runnin’,” beautifully accented by The Roots’ live instrumentation.
Arrested Development transformed the amphitheater into one giant singalong as thousands chanted, “I-i-i-i am everyday people,” while guitarist Captain Kirk Douglas dazzled with his virtuosity, effortlessly moving between blistering guitar work and playful scat vocals. Then came one of the evening’s defining moments.
The energy shifted the instant Queen Latifah appeared.
With a throne carried onto the stage to announce her regal entrance, she reminded everyone exactly why she’s one of hip-hop’s true icons. Mixing empowerment, social commentary, and commanding stage presence, she delivered a performance that was both celebratory and thought-provoking. Joined by fellow female MCs including Lady of Rage, the set became an exhilarating showcase of powerful voices, lush harmonies, and uncompromising lyrical strength.
Perhaps the greatest testament to the evening came from the audience itself. In all my years attending concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, I’d never seen the entire Pool Circle on its feet. That night, virtually everyone was dancing.
Last year’s The Roots Picnic: Class of ’95 proved the inaugural event was no fluke.
The chill grooves of the mid-’90s filled the Bowl as thousands of dedicated hip-hop fans were transported straight back to 1995—one of the culture’s defining years. More than a concert, it became a masterclass in hip-hop history, curated and conducted by The Roots, who once again acted as both house band and time-traveling guides.
Throughout the fast-paced, three-plus-hour celebration, chants of “Gonna get lit tonight!”, “Hollywood Bowl, let’s goooooo!” and “How y’all feeling?” echoed across the amphitheater, with the audience enthusiastically shouting every response. The Roots never allowed the momentum to dip, seamlessly welcoming a parade of legends including Lil’ Kim, Method Man & Redman, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Raekwon, DJ Quik, Goodie Mob, E-40 and Havoc of Mobb Deep.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony reminded everyone how revolutionary their blend of melodic harmonies and rapid-fire rap remains, while Method Man & Redman delivered exactly the high-energy chemistry audiences have loved for decades. DJ Quik and E-40 turned the Bowl into a neighborhood block party, and Lil’ Kim’s arrival as the self-proclaimed “Original Queen Bee” brought the house down, reaffirming her status as one of the most influential women in hip-hop history.
Which brings us to this year’s The Roots Picnic Experience.
Rather than celebrating one era, the latest installment embraced the full breadth of hip-hop’s evolution. Nas delivered a commanding performance that was elevated even further by The Roots’ lush live arrangements, revealing fresh dimensions in songs that have become part of the genre’s canon. T.I. brought undeniable swagger, Bun B represented Southern hip-hop royalty with effortless authority, while De La Soul provided some of the evening’s most heartfelt and joyous moments, reminding everyone why their influence continues to resonate across generations.
What makes these concerts so remarkable isn’t simply the star power – although there is plenty of that on display. It’s The Roots themselves.
Far more than simply a supportive house band, The Roots are true artists with a vast array of talent as curators, collaborators, historians, arrangers, as well as master musicians. Importantly, they somehow manage to connect artists from different eras, styles, and regions into one seamless musical experience. There are no awkward pauses between sets, no lengthy equipment changes, no loss of momentum. Every transition feels organic, every groove perfectly placed, every guest elevated by the extraordinary musicianship surrounding them. Slick, polished, and clearly meticulously rehearsed, the entire event unfolded seamlessly without a single misstep.
By last night’s final encore, the Hollywood Bowl once again felt less like a concert venue and more like one enormous family reunion celebrating hip-hop’s enduring legacy.
Three years in, The Roots Picnic has evolved from an inspired experiment into one of Los Angeles’ essential summer events. Each edition has celebrated a different chapter of hip-hop history while remaining true to the culture’s spirit of innovation, community, and joy.
Here’s hoping this picnic never ends!
About the Artists:
The Roots are an American hip hop band formed in 1987 by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Presently, The Roots serve as the house band on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, having served in the same role on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from 2009 to 2014. Current regular members of The Roots on The Tonight Show are Captain Kirk Douglas, Mark Kelley, James Poyser, Ian Hendrickson-Smith, Damon “Tuba Gooding Jr.” Bryson, Stro Elliot, Dave Guy, Kamal Gray, and Raymond Angry. The Roots are known for a jazzy and eclectic approach to hip hop featuring live musical instruments and the group’s work has consistently been met with critical acclaim.
