LADIES FIRST: QUEEN LATIFAH STEALS THE SHOW AT THE ROOTS PICNIC: HIP-HOP IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

First, I wasn’t the only white person on Saturday, June 29th, at The Roots Picnic: Hip-Hop Is The Love Of My Life show at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA. The satisfying, entertaining, and fast-paced sold-out crowd comprised a diverse, multi-racial, and generational audience. I saw two tiny children in their parent’s arms wearing tiny headphones.

Music is a universal language that breaks down all barriers between race, gender, and age. The upbeat and animated audience was there to party and have a good time. All had fun as they sang along and danced to every number in the aisles for 90 minutes of non-stop music (except for a brief intermission). The legendary and phenomenally The Roots crew billed it as “inviting their musical heroes and peers to celebrate the first five decades of hip-hop at the Bowl.” The sad part and a bit of disappointment was The Roots didn’t play any of their material. For example, hearing songs from The Tipping Point would be great. Nonetheless, they aimed to spotlight seminal, groundbreaking, and mainstream acts like Common, including Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, Black Sheep, and Jungle Brothers. All acts delivered hard-hitting, passionate, and “Go For Broke” performances, making one nostalgic for the past and helping to relive the glory days of hip-hop music. Plus, I have seen and experienced music's staying power up to this day.

However, at times, given there were so many acts on the stage, they rotated back and forth, playing their best-remembered material or hit songs. Pete Rock performed a rousing set toward the show's end. He is an American music producer, DJ, and rapper. The highly influential artist is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip-hop producers ever. As a physical backdrop to a massive display of talented acts on stage were the imaginative and breathtaking production values and incredible lighting effects. Most memorable was the staging and montage of Queen Latifah and an exceptionally fitting stately, royal chair placed front and center for her. In a way, you could say or surmise, all the music before was a long and bit protracted warm-up to her.

Was it worth the wait? Of course, could some music that preceded her be cut or trimmed down? Perhaps. She was the headliner and gave a stand-out performance. It left no doubt in my mind and some of the fans I spoke with after the show about why she is a superstar and a force to be reckoned with. Her presence is intense and commanding, plus she oozes with an unstoppable charisma. Latifah’s talent and legacy are undeniable in all media; she has successfully conquered them. A grounded and humble person, she frequently gave The Roots “their flowers” to speak admirably about them, offering sincere compliments from the heart. The Roots are incredibly versatile and seasoned. They were lauded as exceptional musicians. Nothing was better than to hear organic music played live throughout the show.

There was also an excellent DJ onstage, who kept the capacity crowd energy up throughout the night. But back to Queen Latifah. There was also a bonus because the show was billed with several scheduled musical acts and “more.” It was “more” than one hoped or bargained for when Yo-Yo, McLyte, Monie Love, and Lady of Rage joined Queen Latifah and performed alongside her. All female “bosses” in their own right. They stormed the stage and dominated with their distinctive presence and personalities. It was not as if time stood still and you were transported back to the day. There was a relevancy to the performance and music that is just as potent today as in the preceding decades when it first came out.

Roots Picnic: Hip Hop Is My Life sharing the music they loved and which inspired them as artists and musicians is a gift and love letter to hip hop and all the fans at the sold-out Hollywood Bowl. Concertgoers seemed to appreciate and enjoy the music truly. It was clear being in the presence of so many quality acts it seemed to uplift their spirits and souls, too.