This Saturday, in partnership with Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization, When We All Vote, The Roots are launching the 13th Annual Roots Picnic as a virtual broadcast experience exclusively on YouTube at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT HERE. Announced today, there will also be a pre-show executive produced and curated by The Bridge (Tina Farris and Suede) at 5:45 PM ET broadcasting exclusively on The Roots YouTube Channel and featuring performances and special content by several heavy-hitting newcomers.
Artists confirmed include Bam Marley, Brianna Cash, Daniel Sebastian, Iman Omari, Infinity Song, IV Jay, Jac Ross, Jayla Darden, JD & Domi, Justine Skye, LOONY, Nissi, Raye, Riela, RMR, T.Nava, Sampa the Great, Savanna Christina, Shawn Smith, YelloPain, Victory Boyd, Infinity Song, AquilDawud and SUSU. Additionally, you can check out The Roots Picnic playlist on Spotify. Fans can anticipate performances by The Roots, H.E.R., Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, SZA, Kirk Franklin, Snoh Aalegra, Earthgang, G Herbo, Polo G, D Nice and Musiq Soulchild (backed by The Roots) and appearances by Michelle Obama, Lin Manuel Miranda, Chris Paul, Common, Liza Koshy, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Janelle Monáe, and Elaine Welteroth. The event is Executive Produced by Shawn Gee (Live Nation Urban), Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tarik Trotter (Two One Five Entertainment), and Dan Parise (DPS). Hosted by Questlove, Black Thought, and Michelle Obama, the picnic will be filled with amazing performances by a diverse group of young highly popular hip hop, R&B, and gospel artists with the goal of engaging and reaching 500,000 eligible voters.
When We All Vote volunteers will sign up to text voters throughout the show through Outvote, a web and mobile organizing platform used to reach unregistered voters. Volunteers can sign-up to learn how to reach voters before the event here. In addition to music, this event will include pre-recorded segments with musicians, athletes, social media influencers, When We All Vote Co-Chairs and The Roots sharing one simple call to action, register to vote. Fans can subscribe to The Roots Official YouTube Channel and tune into the broadcast stream HERE.
PayPal is proud to power The Roots Picnic Marketplace, a collection of Black-owned businesses from across the United States so fans can meet the owners, shop, and donate throughout the event. PayPal recognizes the critical role that these businesses play in our economy, and this partnership builds upon PayPal’s commitment to support Black-owned businesses and fight economic inequality. Additional sponsors for the event include Cîroc, the official vodka partner, Glossier, the official beauty partner and Lowes, the official home improvement partner. The partnership between The Roots and When We All Vote comes from a shared ethos of wanting to reach the most underrepresented community of people when it comes to voting, black people between the ages of 21-35.
Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote and The Roots have a common goal, to educate and inspire communities to use their voices and vote to make a difference. Right now and continuing throughout the broadcast, there will be a call to action to allow fans to register to vote HERE or by texting ROOTS to 56005.
*Throughout the broadcast, this will be available in the form of a link in the live chat section allowing fans to register to vote in real-time while enjoying the show. Additionally, When We All Vote volunteers will work throughout the day and during the show to text and engage 500,000 eligible voters. *Text 56005 to receive periodic updates from When We All Vote. Text HELP for help, STOP to end. Msg & Data rates may apply.
