Celebrity Coverage
The first day of the Roots 2024 picnic included food, fun and a phenomenal performance by legendary artists
Photo credit: Marcus McDonald
This past weekend, The Legendary Roots Crew hosted and co-founded the largest edition of Roots Picnic to this point at The Mann in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The event, which gathered over 60,000 participants throughout the weekend, exceeded all expectations and is one of the most anticipated festivals in the city of brotherly love.
Before the music began, the sold-out festivities began on Friday, May 31, with the return of the second annual Roots Picnic Con at the Fillmore Philadelphia. The conference included panel discussions from The Recording Academy, Cannabis Workers Union, Live Nation, Phor Essentials and featured panelists resembling Questlove, Marsha Ambrosius and many others. That evening, Black Thought returned together with his stand-up special “Black Thought Presents Delirious” at Punchline Philly, which featured surprise appearances from comedians from across the country.
Additional events leading as much as the concert series included Houses of Luv & Philly Black Pride’s inaugural Roots Picnic LGBTQ+ Pride Party at the Foundry on Thursday, May 30, and the Roots Picnic Kickoff Party at the Brooklyn Bowl the following evening.
On June 1, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro presented The Roots with a proclamation recognizing their contributions to the arts, arts education and the economy of the City of Philadelphia. The picnic began around 1 p.m. and featured plenty of amazing performances throughout the three stages. The Centennial Stage hosted live acts and podcasts throughout the day, while the Presser Stage featured performances by October London, Smino and Sexxy Red.
Saturday featured an unprecedented mix of hip-hop and R&B on the Fairmount Stage, where audiences saw J.Period, Black Thought, Method Man and Redman welcome FERG, Amir Ali, ReeCee, E.Ness, Freeway and Common to stage as special guests during the joint J. Period Live Mixtape set. The-Dream then performed some of his hits resembling “Fancy”, “I Luv Your Girl” and “Falsetto”. Later in the evening, Nas lit up the stage with songs from his 1994 debut album Illmatic and welcomed Ghostface Killah to the stage for his electrifying performance.
To close out the night, the influential Jill Scott, coming off the heels of a massive twentieth anniversary tour celebrating the release of her groundbreaking debut album, sang some of her biggest hits and made a surprise debut of her latest song “Norf Philly” featuring Tierra Whack.
In addition to the phenomenal music selection, Roots Picnic also showcased some of the area’s best cuisine. Doordash Food Village featured places like Bake ‘N Bacon, Down North Pizza, Oh Brother Philly, Federal Donuts & Chicken and many more.
In between sets, attendees could also experience elegant activations from brands resembling Stella Artois, Smirnoff Ice, Dunkin’ Donuts and Jack Daniels, amongst others. The Chase Sapphire Lounge was extremely popular, and Grand Marnier celebrated the start of summer with an immersive festival experience where guests enjoyed live performances, cooling stations, photo ops and the company’s signature cocktail, the Grand Margarita.
After the huge success of the first day of Roots Picnic, fans were looking forward to Sunday’s event, which featured inspiring performances from local legends and era-defining artists.
Celebrity Coverage
“I was not intelligent”: Kelli Ferrell Rhoa about the almost loss of her activity after the Estrained husband took all the money from it – essence
When Kelli Ferrell launched her culinary brand, Chicken and waffles nanyShe brought a vision and half of the investment capital – her husband, she says, from now on coping with funds. It was a dynamics that seemed efficient and supportive – until it was. In the last episode, Ferrell revealed that her alienated husband allegedly emptied business accounts, almost launching his beloved restaurant to Earth.
“I wasn’t smart,” says Essence in sitting. “I trusted him everything.”
Ferrella’s story is each deeply personal and deeply familiar. In various industries of women – especially wife and company owners – often encouraged to “allow men to deal with money”. But this trust can bring a destructive cost. Ferrell is now in the process of rebuilding its activities and recovery of financial control. Her story increases the growing conversation about financial sensitivity, from which many ladies stand once they abandon control or transparency of their business matters. After its recovery, a robust narrative about immunity, money management and the importance of being an lively participant in your personal financial history emerges.
Ferrell’s experience is not unique. According to 2023 UBS report, over 50% of married women are postponing long -term financial decisions for his or her spousesA trend that’s much more common amongst women in color. Although the intention might be rooted in trust or division of work, the consequences might be tragic: hidden debt, exhausted bills and loss of business or retirement assets.
In one other study conducted by National equipment of financial education, almost 30% of adults admit “financial infidelity”—Thee accounts, expenses or debts from their partners. And yet many ladies are still socialized to give attention to the protective facets of relationships and business, leaving “monetary things” to another person.
He played this trail in a recently broadcast episode, when Ferrell explained to the viewers that she had taken all the money she allocated to the opening of the second location of the restaurant.
“Everything has been combined”, shares with Essence, when asked about the financial structure of her and her ex -husband. “When people say,” How did he steal money? “It is because he controlled finances. ”
Ferrell explained that as a southern girl (from Maryland, but she became a resident in Georgia in 2003), the wives were considered to be an equivalent in a relationship.
“When you have a business partner, some partners are based on certain things,” he says. “What I did in the industry was running a company. I was the face of the company. I did cooking programs. I was the one who appeared in the media. I was the one who would be in the rooms, and let him run in the background and say:” Hey, be certain that you meet an accountant, I made sure that you just manage your funds. ” And he coped with this stuff.
The bitter divorce has develop into much more controversial attributable to the division of assets, the details of that are playing in public. In fact, just before my interview with Ferrell, a report He broke about the Ferrell settlement.
According to Intouch Weekly, the court in Georgia ordered the parties to share the joint legal care of their three children from Kella granted primary care. Introuch also informed that Ferrell’s ex -husband was ordered to pay almost USD 12,000 per 30 days for maintenance and health maintenance; Ferrell also received USD 175,000 from the company.
Unlike many ladies, Ferrella’s settlement was based to her, something she says for her grateful.
Now, approaching the end of her divorce proceedings, Ferrell is not very proud to confess that she made fiscal mistakes and can not allow them to repeat. The biggest lesson? Never let anyone have full control over your funds, irrespective of how you like yourself.
“I need to make use of this platform, which I actually have to share with one other woman or one other man, that although love is amazing, things can go left and things develop into nasty. So you will have to be smart. I was not smart. Thank God that the judge was in a position to see the truth. But what if it wasn’t? Marriage and love.
Happy Friday, people. With the looks of Maja, a brand new musical composition this week falls into the energy of renewal and re -control. From introspective ballads to anthem ready for the stadium, these editions reflect love, life and all the things in between.
One of essentially the most convincing offers this week is cooperation between 3 Chainz and the legendary Brothers Isley Brothers, a mixture of tenches of hip-hop and soul. “Sweet Love” Burna Boy and the windy “vacay” aminé also remind us that global rhythms and mixing of species at the moment are the norm, not an exception, and whether it’s a stuffy “spend” Summer Walker or Coco Jones combines strength Lady London In “It Mine” artists enter the season with confidence. Today’s list also includes the music of Jorji Smith, Tiany Major9, Weside Gunn and others.
Look at the most effective recent editions this week.
Summer Walker – “Spend”
With the brand new season, the summer Walker presents listeners around the globe with the one “Exit”. Listen to this HERE.
Coco Jones ft. Lady London – “It Mine”
Today, the winning singer/actress of the authors of Grammy Coco Jones surprises fans with an prolonged version Why not more?which incorporates cooperation with Lady London entitled “It Mine”. Listen to this HERE.
Aqyila – “Soar”
Fresh Off the discharge of her debut album recognized by critics Falling to the place, The Canadian star R&B Aqyila releases “Soar”, the last song of the brand new album. Watch the video HERE.
2 Chainz ft. Ronald Isley and The Isley Brothers – “The Atl Experience”
In amazing cooperation, 2 Chainz and Isley Brothers are connected with “The Atl Experience” from the soundtrack to the short film Red clay. Hear this HERE.
Samara CS – “Bas Brain”
One of essentially the most charming recent musical voices, Samara earlier It releases her great and The insatiable recent single “Bad Brain”. Produced by Whit Kane. Check it out HERE.
Tiana Major9 – “Money”
At the start of this week, Tiana Major9 returned with the discharge of a gorgeous recent single “Money”. Check it out HERE.
Jorja Smith – “The Way I love you”
Freshly on the back of her North American route, the British singer Jorja Smith recognized, who fell into the sunshine of the headlights with the primary single 2025-army of the bass “The Way I love you”. Watch the video HERE.
Weside Gunn ft. Doechii – “Egypt”
Weside Gunn and Doechia officially joined forces within the remix EGYPTAfter a viral moment last month, when Doechia reacted to sampling on the unique track. Check it out HERE.
MXNXSTXR ft. Destructo, Thundercat and Channel Tres – “What You Need”
MXNXSTXR, side project Ty Dolla $ IGN, and a pioneering producer/DJ and electronic taste of disfecto music support the brand new single “What you Need”. Thundercat & Channel Tres. Streamly send a record HERE.
Burna Boy – “Sweet Love”
The popular Afrobeats Burna Boy star provides the brand new single “Sweet Love”. Check the song HERE.
Celebrity Coverage
Shedeur Sanders responds after the son of the NFL coach apologizes for Day Day Prank – Essence
Boulder, CO – April 19: was the playmaker in Colorado Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders, looks at the retirement ceremony in front of the black and golden spring game on Field Field Field 19 April 2025 in Boulder in Colorado. (Photo Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for Onit)
The road to NFL is full of excitement, nerves – and for Shedeur Sanders, unnecessary dispersion that nobody has seen.
Shedeur, who’s the son of the NFL legend and coach Colorado Deion Sanders, fell victim to unripe joke During the NFL sketch in 2025, which must be a momentous opportunity for him and his family. But this moment quickly overshadowed Jax Ulbrich, son of the defense coordinator of Atlanta Falcons Jeff Ulbrich.
When Sanders waited to listen to his name, which was called during the project, he received what he thinks was a changing life from the Saints of New Orleans. Sanders answered in the surroundings of family and friends, only for the caller (whom we later learned that Ulbrich) revealed that it was all a joke, telling him that “he would have to wait a little longer” before he suddenly disconnects.
Since then, Jax Ulbrich has published a public apology for his actions.
“On Friday evening I made an amazing mistake,” Ulbrich wrote on Instagram. “Shedeur, what I did was completely unforgivable, embarrassing and shameful. I’m so sorry that I took your moment, it was selfish and childish.”
The moment, captured to the video by brother Shedeur, Deion Sanders Jr. And he published in well -advanced media, he shows that Shedeur looked confused, asking, asking:
In addition to immaturity, there may be a much bigger problem here. NFL prospects are received by private phone numbers especially for communication with league staff during the project. Somehow Ulbrich gained access to this private channel, asking serious questions on the project of security protocols. Atlanta Falcons Since then, he apologized.
Black athletes like Sanders are already in the face of sufficient control. And let’s be honest – they were reacted in another way, the headlines would concern his attitude, not with a joke.
Despite the proven fact that many analysts are expected as the talent of the first round, Sanders unexpectedly slipped into the sketch, finally chosen by Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. While this development has change into one of the biggest stories of the sketch, Call Call added an unnecessary layer of humiliation to already difficult experience.
But Sanders? He got a high path.
Talking to the media after calling, he didn’t allow the wit to define his night.
“It didn’t really affect me,” he said. “I do not feed negativity. This is, of course, the guy was childish … but everyone does children’s things here and there.”
His mastery stood out. And truthfully, this isn’t a surprise. The son of “Prime Time” knows something about coping with the light of headlights and remaining grounding when he has the most significant.
In an interview with Essence, just before the NFL Deioners project, Sanders spoke about his suggestions for his sons about their future NFL and the way deeply rooted in faith. “The first thing we are talking about is that you will go where God wants you to go because he has already seen the path,” says Sanders. “Where we want to go, it may not be the right place, but where he wants us to go, it is certainly the right place.”
This incident is a reminder of additional obstacles that black athletes often encounter during their skilled journeys. What must be a pure holiday of exertions and Sanders’ achievements was partly overshadowed by an act of disrespect that he is anticipated to be kindly forgiven.
Tom Cruise promises the underwater sequence “Unlike any other” in the mission: Impossible – final settlement
40,000 employees thank Marriott CEO for defending Dei among political pressure
Why a’ja Wilson is bigger than just the next release of sneakers – and scape
Ici: Criticism of BBL Erykah Badu and more – Essence
What are the key risk factors for the development of degenerative knee joints? We analyzed the evidence
-
Press Release1 year agoU.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Press Release1 year agoCEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance11 months agoThe Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Business and Finance1 year ago360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump1 year agoAnother lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Theater1 year agoTelling the story of the Apollo Theater
-
Ben Crump1 year agoHenrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests
-
Ben Crump1 year agoThe families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright hold an emotional press conference in Minneapolis
-
Theater1 year agoApplications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Theater11 months agoCultural icon Apollo Theater sets new goals on the occasion of its 85th anniversary