Jay-Z is returning to the stage.
On May 30, as announced Tuesday (March 17), HOV and The Roots will headline the 2026 edition of Roots Picnic at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia. In a statement, Shawn Gee—Roots manager and Live Nation Urban president—cited the upcoming performance as one of several “bucket-list moments” for all involved.
“After meeting with Mayor Cherelle Parker and hearing her vision for Philadelphia 250, she truly inspired us to dream even bigger, and we’re grateful to her, Commissioner Susan Slawson, Jazelle Jones and everyone who helped make it happen,” Gee added in a statement provided to Complex. “We can’t wait to see everyone in May at the Plat.”
Roots Picnic is set for May 30 and May 31 at the Plat. See here for info on tickets, including general admission and VIP options. Notably, this will mark Jay’s first time back on the stage since 2018. It also marks the 25-time Grammy winner and The Roots’ first performance together in more than 10 years.
In recent months, speculation has been high that Jay may be preparing a new album for imminent release, though nothing has been confirmed as of this writing. Amid the speculation, he’s made some moves on streaming that some fans have pointed to as a sign that the ground could indeed be rumbling in the HOV-iverse.
In 2001, Jay and The Roots famously linked for an MTV Unplugged-associated live album. Key songs featured in the live set included the Ye-produced Blueprint track “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Big Pimpin,” “Hard Knock Life,” and more.
Jay’s most recent solo studio album is 2017’s 4:44, which earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album. One year later, he and Beyoncé, billed as The Carters, released their Grammy-winning joint album Everything Is Love.