Wu-Tang Bring Method Man-Inspired Mosh Pit to Roots Picnic

Despite a threat of thunderstorms, the Roots third annual picnic remained dry for all those who descended onto Philadelphia's Festival Pier at Penn's Landing on Saturday, June 5. As usual, the Roots set it off and led the way for the afternoon acts. This year the Philadelphia-based band, VisitPhilly.com and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation corralled some lesser known talent for those brave enough to bare the 90 degree heat, but by 6:30PM Jay Electronica took to the stage and got the crowd going with his buzz track 'Exhibit C.' Stones Throw Records' own Mayor Hawthorne added some soul to the event and Philly native DJ Jazzy Jeff, joined by Questlove and Mad Skillz, followed with a hip-hop lesson, of sorts. Jeff, with Quest on the drums (obviously) and Skillz acting as MC, gave context to many hip-hop classics as he bounced between sample to rap song-spinoff, i.e. DeBarge's 1983 hit 'Stay With Me' leading into the Notorious B.I.G.'s 'One More Chance' and Bobby Caldwell's 'Open Your Eyes' giving way to Common's 'The Light.'

But before the Virginia duo took to the tent, Wu-Tang's Raekwon, Ghostface and Method Man, took the stage after John Legend and tore it down for the many hip-hop heads in attendance. Rae, Ghost and Meth ran through classics like 'Protect Ya Neck' and 'Method Man' before jumping into 'New Wu.' The night wouldn't have been complete without a Method Man mosh pit moment, which was made priceless by the seemingly worried looks on Ghost and Raekwon's faces. A vocal Ghost told the crowd how much he loved Philly, noting that the city is home to the Delfonics, the late Teddy Pendergrass and many more. "I'm from New York, but if I wasn't from New York, I'd want to be from Philly." Ghost told the crowd as the Broad Street bully Beanie Sigel walked onstage to show the Wu members love.

With just 30 minutes before the fest was set to wrap up, Vampire Weekend made their way to the main stage to close out the event, while the Clipse finally took the stage in the tent and were forced to battle it out with the main stage's superior sound system. Concertgoers unable to decide if they were in the mood for hard-knocking hip-hop or indie afro-rock tunes made their way to the exits as the Clipse and Vampire Weekend simultaneously wrapped up the seven-hour event.



Additional reporting and images provided by Spycase.