Philadelphia, PA – The Roots have joined Hip Hop legends such as Wu-Tang Clan and The Notorious B.I.G. in getting a street named in their honor. Philadelphia’s City Council has recognized a portion of East Passyunk Avenue as the official avenue of the Philly-bred band.
Black Thought, Questlove and the rest of the group’s stretch of East Passyunk is located between South Street and Bainbridge Street. Questlove noted the “Avenue of The Roots” was originally supposed to be unveiled in May, but the sign ended up getting installed last Friday (February 21).
“Welp this is very Philly: technically we were supposed to wait for the vote and then like in May come Picnic Time we’d have an unveiling w confetti & kool aid lol but cats was like ‘NOAP!!! WE FINNA PUT THIS JAWN UP NOW!!!!!’” he wrote on Instagram. “really awesome to see the place we honed our skills and craft embrace us like this.”
According to the Philadelphia Tribune, Councilman Mark Squilla introduced a resolution to dedicate East Passyunk Avenue to The Roots on Thursday (February 20). The councilman was first approached with the idea by Leroy McCarthy — the man who led the movement to rename a Brooklyn street after the late Biggie Smalls — in April 2019.
The Roots Picnic 2020 To Feature Meek Mill, DaBaby, Griselda, Ghostface, Raekwon & More
“The Roots started their performance experience by busking on the streets of Philadelphia,” the resolution read. “East Passyunk Avenue and South Street was one of their main locations. Since then, The Roots have taken Philadelphia with them on television nightly and to audiences worldwide. The Roots are, and will always be, appreciated as a talented band from the streets of Philadelphia.”
An official ceremony for The Roots’ rechristened street is scheduled to be held in May. That same month, the acclaimed band will host their annual Roots Picnic at The Mann at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.
Check out The Roots Picnic 2020 lineup below.