Roots Picnic Lineup: Naughty By Nature, Macklemore, Solange, DJ Premier, Trinidad James Identity Ink PreSale

June 1 The 6th Annual Roots Picnic

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Start: Thu, 01/24/13 12:00 PM ESTEnd: Thu, 01/24/13 11:59 PM EST
Ticket Link http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004A32DB6E9427

Lineup 

The Roots
Gary Clark, Jr.
Macklemore
Ryan Lewis
Grimes
Naughty By Nature
Araabmuzik
DJ Premier
Solange
Trinidad James
Gaslamp Killer
Hit Boy
How To Dress Well
Joey Bada$$
Robert Glasper
Sonnymoon
Lushlife

The roster of artists for the 6th Annual Roots Picnic Festival, taking place June 1 at Festival Pier at Penns Landing in Philadelphia, has been announced.

This year, the lineup includes headliners and festival organizers The Roots backing Naughty By Nature for a full set. Performers during the event include Grimes, Gary Clark Jr., Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Solange Knowles, Joey Bada$$, How to Dress Well, Sonnymoon, Jennah Bell, Trinidad Jame$, Robert Glasper, Lushlife, DJ Premier, Hit-Boy, The Gaslamp Killer and araabMUZIK.

Shawn Gee, executive producer of the Roots Picnic who co-manages the group with Richard Nichols, explains that event organizers including Questlove and Black Thought spent months curating a lineup with promoter Live Nation. Like with previous years, which has featured The Black Keys, Gnarls Barkley and Rakim, Gee says that the intention is to offer a diverse group of artists and expose fresh talent.

"We feel this is probably our most balanced year," says Gee, who is also president of music and entertainment at SEFG and serves as a touring consultant for the Blueprint Group. "From an artist's perspective, people understand that the talent pool is handpicked by ?uestlove and the team. They want to play, because they understand what The Roots stand for and what we've built for the past five years."

"The hardest thing is catching acts that are just getting buzz so you can get them on the cusp," Questlove told Billboard. "I thought instantly that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were going to be poppin. And just on a hunch, I was like, 'Alright.' We hit them and they agreed. Sure enough, after the album came out, they just became unstoppable."

Questlove uses the relationships he's buit on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" to handpick acts. "Now that we've worked at 'Fallon,' it's more sweet than it's ever been," he said. "You have to keep in mind that the picnic started three years before we started with Jimmy Fallon. So the process in the beginning was really tough because we had to go through agents and managers. Once I realized that the real advantage of working at Fallon kind of cut the red tape, it allowed us to deal with the artists one-on-one."

Last year, the festival was spread out over two days, touting performances from Wale, De La Soul, Rakim, Major Lazer, Danny Brown and more. Instead of taking up a full weekend, Gee says that this year's consolidation to one day is the only change that attendees can expect from the concert, which will feature its signature DJ tent as well as a main stage.

"Last year was very successful based on the talent we were able to go after," says Gee. "Every year, it all starts with the talent. When we laid out the talent list, we thought it would be more effective to focus on one day and really balancing out one day versus stretching out for two days based off of the talent that we wanted to go after this year." 

Via http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/roots-picnic-lineup-naughty-by-nature-macklemore-1008106162.story?utm_source=most_recent#/column/the-juice/roots-picnic-lineup-naughty-by-nature-macklemore-1008106162.story?utm_source=most_recent

Solange's Son Wants To Rap?

Solange and Beyonce may seem like polar opposites, but the Knowles sisters are as close as ever. Closer, maybe, considering now big sis Bey is a mom like baby sis Solange. In a recent interview with New York Magazine, Solange spoke about her son and how close he is with his baby cousin, Blue Ivy. “Blue comes over, I babysit,” says Solange. “[Beyoncé] takes Julez sometimes for the weekend. [Blue] and Julez are going to grow up more like sister and brother than cousins.” And apparently, Julez may be taking after his legendary uncle, Jay-Z. “[He's] showing signs of wanting to be an artist," she added. "“He loves it. It’s so scary.”

Solange and Beyonce may seem like polar opposites, but the Knowles sisters are as close as ever. Closer, maybe, considering now big sis Bey is a mom like baby sis Solange. In a recent interview with New York Magazine, Solange spoke about her son and how close he is with his baby cousin, Blue Ivy.

“Blue comes over, I babysit,” says Solange. “[Beyoncé] takes Julez sometimes for the weekend. [Blue] and Julez are going to grow up more like sister and brother than cousins.”

And apparently, Julez may be taking after his legendary uncle, Jay-Z.

“[He's] showing signs of wanting to be an artist," she added. "“He loves it. It’s so scary.”

Solange Plans To Spoil Blue Ivy

Solange Knowles, in the upcoming issue of Style Magazine, shares her excitement at being an Auntie. Beyonce's little sis is featured in a spread--keeping in line with her refocusing her modeling career--but also takes time to gush over little Blue Ivy and how she plans to dote on the child.

"This may sound awful, but I’m excited to let the baby do whatever it wants, in the same way my sister’s done with my son," Solange says. "I’m going to get her back for all those late-night popcorn sessions and just spoiling my child to no end."

Michelle Williams Gushes Over Blue Ivy

Since Beyonce's had her daughter, all of her associates have chimed in about the super-baby; from her longtime BFF Kelly Rowland to her sister Solange to Gwyneth Paltrow. But no one heard much from the third member of Destiny's Child.

Michelle Williams finally gave her two cents briefly at a major event this week.

“She is absolutely gorgeous. We were all in love,” Williams, 31, told USA Today at Saturday’s BET Honors in Washington, D.C.

Quotes from Kelly Rowland popped up immediately after Blue Ivy Carter was born. It seems like the world forgot to even acknowledge Williams was a close friend of Beyonce's, too. SMH.

Solange On Her New Music

Solange opened up about her upcoming indie album and the sexual content in some of the songs. Many people still see the (underrated?) artist first and foremost as Beyonce's lil sis, but she's carved her own niche in music--even if she's not as celebrated as Bey.

But she says even 'kid sister' likes to get grown and sexy.

"There are a lot of songs about sex. It’s the kind of record you put on when your man is coming over, when you’re with your girls," she says. "There are songs that make you wanna dance because we were kind of partying our way through the record, but it’s very chill. My references for the record were all Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, not just their typical Janet and Prince stuff, but SOS Band and their b-sides with Chaka Khan. At first the songs were really dark because I had a premonition before the record that I was going to die. I was having panic attacks and wiling out. [But] I don’t need anyone telling me ‘this isn’t cool enough’ or anyone from the opposite end saying ‘this seems kind of weird.’

Solange Blasts Beyonce Critics

Since Beyonce gave birth to her baby girl Blue Ivy Carter this weekend, the Web (and seemingly everywhere) has been flooded with everyone seemingly giving their opinion or sharing the latest rumor. From hospitals evicting expecting mothers to make room for the superstar to the baby somehow being the spawn of Satan, there have been several outlandish rumors about Bey, Jay and the lil one. Little Sis Solange seems to have had enough.

“It has really gotten out of hand. I’ve been doing my best at keeping my mouth shut….but the ignorance is really sad and upsetting," Solange tweeted. "We are supposed to be super human and watch people we love get slandered, lied on, and ridiculed. It is one of THE hardest things to accept."

"In any other workplace…if someone directly tells your mother or sister is a liar and a fake etc…you would naturally express yourself," she continued. "However, the pure happiness and joy I’ve witnessed and experienced helps me to keep my mouth shut.”

Solange's New Modeling Gig

Solange may be the world's most famous Auntie right now, but Beyonce's lil sister is still busy working on her own life and career. Solange has joined the roster of Next Model Management, and will be the featured face of their upcoming advertising campaign.

“Artistic expression is invaluable to me in all walks of my career and I am so excited to continue to develop this path along with such an amazing team at Next Model Management," she said via statement. "I feel right at home working with people who have worked beside such creative forces in the world.”

“We are delighted to be working with Solange,” said Next global publicist Katy Moseley. “She is hugely popular and beautiful, with so many brilliant ideas and creative energy.

Mary J. Blige Helps Launch Ad Campaign

Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks and singer Cassie were named the newest Carol’s Daughter Spokesbeauties at the launch party for the new company campaign, "I AM." Spokesbeauty & Investor Mary J. Blige, brand founder Lisa Price, Chairman Steve Stoute, industry veteran Kevin Liles were all on-hand at the Sephra on 34th Street meet-in-greet in New York City.

"Solange, Selita, and Cassie were selected to represent Carol's Daughter as women with interesting perspectives of beauty. They recognize the beauty in diversity. They are all women of strong character who bring their own personality. They represent our new campaign as they celebrate every woman's individual beauty, celebrate their mother's influence, recognize growing potential, and are sincere supporters of our brand," Price said to AllHipHop.

"I am so thankful and appreciative to represent Carol's Daughter. I appreciate the fact that Carol's Daughter recognizes and celebrates unconventional beauty," added Solange.