The Roots’ Picnic returns in-person after in June with Mary J. Blige headlining the two-day event in Philadelphia. Jazmine Sullivan, Robert Glasper, Wizkid, Summer Walker and SWV are also scheduled to perform on the stage at the Mann Center in West Fairmount Park. Blige is still glowing after her performing at the Super Bowl halftime show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar. Her upcoming show with The Roots is being advertised as a once-in-a-lifetime set. There will be DJ sets from DJ Aktive and DJ Diamond Kuts. Jemele Hill and Questlove are among those who will take part in the podcast stage. The event will stream live on The Roots’ Youtube channel. Tickets are on sale now. 

ROOTS PICNIC is BAAAACK!!!!

TWO days in Philly- June 4-5
What do y’all think of the lineup? #RootsPicnic pic.twitter.com/VxNKWmQj0Z

— Alex Holley (@AlexHolleyFOX29) February 15, 2022

The Soul Train Awards took place Sunday night at The Apollo Theater in New York City. Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell opened and hosted the show for the fourth time. H.E.R. had the most nominations (eight) and Chris Brown came in second place with seven. Maxwell received the Legend Award and performed some of his music. Ashanti took home the Lady Of Soul Award and she gave a performance of her hits. Bruno Mars and anderson.paak’s Silk Sonic won Video Of The Year, the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award and Song Of The Year for “Leave The Door Open.” Jazmine Sullivan won Album Of The Year for Heaux Tales. Summer Walker, Ari Lennox and Lucky Daye were among the performers. Cassidy’s Pass The Mic  had appearances from Gloria Gaynor, Stephanie Mills, Cherrelle and more. For the full list of winners and all of the performances check out BET’s homepage. Don Cornelius’s award show is in its 34th year. 

 

 

Jazmine Sullivan’s “Tragic” begins with a sample of Congresswoman Maxine Waters talking to Secretary-Treasurer Steve Mnuchin during a 2017 deposition. Sullivan and Dutch singer-songwriter Levan Kali co-wrote “Tragic.” They use Waters’ phrase “reclaiming my time” as a leitmotif throughout the song. When a lover disappoints, Sullivan takes back her personal space with fierce emotion expressed with Sunday shouts. Sullivan’s Heaux Tales came out earlier this year and has already proven to be one of the best this year. She will perform at Essence Music Festival this weekend which will be virtual. 

 

Heaux Tales and her singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Heaux Tales debuted at number one on the R&B charts and “Pick Up Your Feelings” has given the singer her first song to reach the same position on R&B radio. It’s early but it is safe to assume that Sullivan’s latest album will probably be the one to get her a Grammy after 12 nominations.