The iconic hip-hop festival Roots Picnic makes its UK debut this weekend at London's Crystal Palace Bowl, with tickets still available for both days. Saturday, August 8, features a two-hour joint performance from Nas and The Roots, while Sunday, August 9, is headlined by Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild. General admission tickets are priced from £91.35 per day, with weekend passes available for £166.75.
Nas and The Roots: A Historic Collaboration
Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones in Queens, New York, in September 1973, has long been celebrated as a master of lyrical storytelling. His debut album Illmatic (1994) is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, featuring tracks like "N.Y. State of Mind," "The World Is Yours," and "Life's a Bitch." His follow-up, It Was Written (1996), produced the chart-topping anthem "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)."
The Roots, formed in Philadelphia in 1987, are considered one of the most influential hip-hop bands ever. They gained acclaim with the Grammy-winning duet "You Got Me" featuring Erykah Badu and Eve, as well as "The Seed (2.0)" with Cody Chesnutt. In 2008, they founded Roots Picnic, which has since become a staple in Philadelphia, and now expands to London for the first time.
Saturday Line-up and Nas Setlist
Saturday's lineup includes Nas and The Roots, with special guest Sasha Keable and support from Black Thought, Yasiin Bey, Benny The Butcher, and Nia Smith. DJ Benji B will provide sounds on both days.
According to setlist.fm, Nas's recent setlist at Roots Picnic in Hollywood included hits like "Hate Me Now," "N.Y. State of Mind," "The World Is Yours," "One Mic," "Life's a Bitch" (with AZ), "Made You Look," and "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)." Fans can expect a similar high-energy performance.
Sunday Line-up: Soul and Rap Fusion
Sunday's main stage features Anthony Hamilton, known for hits "Charlene" and "Po Folks," alongside Musiq Soulchild. Support acts include Floetry, Robert Glasper, Questlove, Common Bilal, and Gotts Street Park with Olive Jones. DJ Benji B returns for the closing day.
Venue and Ticket Information
Crystal Palace Bowl, an open-air venue since 1961, has hosted legends like Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, Lou Reed, and Bob Marley's final London show. The Roots Picnic is part of the broader Palace Bowl Presents festival running from July 31 to August 16.
Tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday at £91.35 each, or a weekend pass for £166.75. Organizers encourage fans to purchase in advance, as the event is expected to sell out.
