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Lil Nas X Announces 'Long Live Montero' Tour Documentary: How To Watch

By Rebekah Gonzalez

January 4, 2024

Lil Nas X has more good news after announcing a new musical era . On Thursday, January 4th, the rapper revealed that he will be releasing a documentary about his 2022 tour "Long Live Montero."

"Good News World! Long Live Montero. Tour Doc HBO MAX," Lil Nas X wrote on Twitter alongside a poster for the HBO Original film. "BIG 2024!" the hitmaker wrote after announcing that the film will be available to stream on MAX starting Saturday, January 27th.

Good News World! Long Live Montero 💜 Tour Doc HBO MAX January 27. BIG 2024! pic.twitter.com/iBwfwR5FIC — ✟ (@LilNasX) January 4, 2024

The news of Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero comes just one day after the rapper revealed that he will be releasing a new song later this month. "I love this constant cycle the world has with me," he wrote. "when i started making music yall told me i was just another twitter rapper. then i made the biggest song of all time. yall called me a one hit wonder. then i dropped one the most streamed albums of the year with 3 top 5 hits. now yall saying my new shit not finna do nothing. At some point yall gotta realize I am gods favorite."

The new single, which has yet to receive a title, will be Lil Nas X's first new single since "STAR WALKIN'" in September 2022 , released for the 2022 League World Championship. Before that, the rapper's last releases came with the arrival of his debut studio album MONTERO in 2021. The album included smash hits like "Industry Baby" and "Montero (call Me By Your Name)."

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Lil Nas X announces a Long Live Montero tour doc is on the way

2024 will be a big year for Lil Nas X!

Lil Nas X is coming to Max!

The superstar rapper and singer announced today that his Long Live Montero tour will soon be available in households across the country as a tour documentary coming to the streamer on January 27.

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The rapper/singer’s latest tour featured hits from throughout his career, as well as elaborate costume changes and sets, incredible choreography, and a unique spectacle.

On the tour he performed everything from “Old Town Road,” to “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” to “Panini,” “That’s What I Want,” and “Industry Baby.”

The tour stopped in 16 cities in North America, seven in Europe, one in Australia, and five cities in South America, and lasted from September 2022 to March 2023.

Lil Nas X has been announcing a lot of new things this year already, teasing his “christian era” in late November and then announcing that he “wrote AND directed” his own music video for the first time.

More recently, Lil Nas X teased a new era of music on Instagram with a black and white photo of him and a Lil Nas X logo with the caption, “I know it's been 2 years but… y’all ready for a show?”

He then posted that he’ll be releasing a new single soon with an image of him doing the steps of the sign of the cross and the caption, “New song and visual next week! - Official art dropping soon.”

It’s looking like 2024 is going to be a big year for Lil Nas X.

• Lil Nas X Just Wants His Fans to Stop Doing Poppers At His Shows ›
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• Watch Lil Nas X serve glamour & kick Satan's ass in 'J Christ' video ›

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Lil Nas X Announces First-Ever Tour Across North America and Europe

Today, multi-platinum, award-winning superstar Lil Nas X has unveiled that he will embark on his first ever tour. The Long Live Montero tour will make stops across North America and Europe this fall. The North American leg kicks off at The Fillmore in Detroit on Tuesday, September 6th, and will make stops in Chicago, Nashville, Los Angeles, and more before wrapping up in San Francisco, CA at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Sunday, October 23rd. The European leg begins Tuesday, November 8th in Amsterdam and concludes Thursday, November 17th in Barcelona, Spain. See full list of dates below.

Tickets for the North American dates will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 29th at 10am local time; all European dates will go on sale to the public starting Friday, May 6th at 10am local time. For tickets and more information, visit longlivemontero.com.

The highly-anticipated Long Live Montero tour welcomes fans to Lil Nas X’s world and will serve to celebrate the massive success of his critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated debut album Montero. The album was included on numerous Best of 2021 lists from Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, People, USA Today, Billboard, LA Times, Complex, and more for “its genre-stretching approach and refreshingly honest exploration of love and loneliness” as told by Variety. The certified Platinum album, which Billboard calls a “masterpiece,” also boasts the 4x Platinum hit song “Industry Baby” featuring Jack Harlow, which went on to reach #1 at Top 40 radio and #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s third Platinum single “That’s What I Want” recently became Nas’ third straight #1 song at Top 40 radio.

Lil Nas X is a 23-year-old award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. Dubbed “an internationally recognized phenomenon” by Billboard, he rose to fame in 2019 when he released “Old Town Road” and simultaneously upended the music industry – shattering genre norms, disrupting the charts and going viral worldwide. The song’s remix with Billy Ray Cyrus became the longest running #1 single in Billboard Hot 100 history after 19 weeks atop the chart. The 16x Platinum hit is the most certified song in RIAA history and is recognized with numerous awards including two Grammys.

After releasing his eclectic EP 7 in June 2019, which features the 6x Platinum “Panini” and 2x Platinum “Rodeo,” Lil Nas X returned in November 2020 with his Platinum single “HOLIDAY”, and followed with the culture-shifting 3x Platinum hit “MONTERO (Call Me Be Your Name)” in March 2021. The queer anthem provoked much needed dialogue around the globe, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, remained atop of the Spotify Global chart for over a month straight, and propelled to #1 on the Top 40 and Rhythm Airplay charts. Already named a fashion icon for all his incredible eye-catching looks, the multifaceted artist and internet king released his critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated debut album Montero in September 2021.

The album was included on numerous Best of 2021 lists from Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, People, USA Today, Billboard, LA Times, Complex, and more for “its genre-stretching approach and refreshingly honest exploration of love and loneliness” as told by Variety. The certified Platinum album, which Billboard calls a “masterpiece,” also boasts the 4x Platinum hit song “Industry Baby” featuring Jack Harlow, which went on to reach #1 at Top 40 radio and #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s third Platinum single “That’s What I Want” recently became Nas’ third straight #1 song at Top 40 radio. Lil Nas X is currently in the studio working on his sophomore album.

Lil Nas X Long Live Montero North American Tour Dates: Tue Sep 06 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Sat Sep 10 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom Thu Sep 15 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY Sun Sep 18 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway Tue Sep 20 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall Thu Sep 22 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Sun Sep 25 – Washington, DC – The Anthem Tue Sep 27 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy Sat Oct 01 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium Mon Oct 03 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live Tue Oct 04 – Miami, FL – James L Knight Center Tue Oct 18 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater Fri Oct 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre Sun Oct 23 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Lil Nas X Long Live Montero European Tour Dates: Tue Nov 08 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live Wed Nov 09 – Berlin, Germany – Max-Schmeling Halle Thu Nov 10 – Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle Sat Nov 12 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo Mon Nov 14 – Paris, France – Zenith Tue Nov 15 – Brussels, Belgium – Palais 12 Thu Nov 17 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club

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Lil Nas X Announces First World Tour for “Everyone Except Gay People”

By James Factora

Lil Nas X hive is eating good today, with the singer’s announcement that he is set to embark on his first world tour.

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

The “Industry Baby” singer announced his upcoming “Long Live Montero” tour via a slickly-produced video that he shared to Twitter on Tuesday morning. In a booming voiceover that played alongside a montage of iconic moments from his music videos and red carpet appearances, Lil Nas declares that “Everyone is allowed… except gay people.” Naturally, this was followed by clips of him dancing naked in a men’s locker room in the “ Industry Baby ” music video and making out with a background dancer at the BET Awards.

“All of u better come or I will cry on Instagram live,” Lil Nas X wrote in the tweet accompanying the video.

The tour comes a month after the end of Lil Nas X’s three month social media hiatus , during which all of his accounts went dark. When he returned to the Internet in mid-March, he joked that he had been on “maternity leave” following the release of his debut album, Montero . Between dropping one of the buzziest albums of 2021, announcing a world tour for the first time, and teasing new music , Lil Nas X’s break was well-deserved. But in his own words, we’re so happy he’s back on the internet.

The Long Live Montero tour will kick off in Detroit, Michigan on September 6, with dates across the U.S., Canada, and Europe before concluding in Barcelona, Spain. The general sale for tickets will begin this Friday at 10 a.m. at each date’s respective local time, with European tickets going on sale the following Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. local time. However, Cash App users that have a Cash Card, which is a debit card connected to your Cash App account, will be able to get tour tickets before anyone else, with their presale opening tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. local.

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By Samantha Riedel

By Mathew Rodriguez

By Juan Velasquez

Lil Nas X unveils his 1st tour: All the details on the 'Long Live Montero' tour

The "Long Live Montero" tour kicks off in September.

Lil Nas X has announced his first tour will take him across the globe this fall.

After teasing a major announcement to his fans, the "Industry Baby" artist shared on Twitter Tuesday: "i'm having my very first tour. and all of u better come or i will cry on instagram live," along with a trailer teasing what's to come.

Dubbed the "Long Live Montero" tour, the Grammy winner will traverse North America and Europe beginning Sept. 6 with a stop at Detroit's The Fillmore.

MORE: Lil Nas X makes waves with emotionally charged debut album 'Montero'

From there, Lil Nas X will visit Chicago; Nashville, Tennessee; Los Angeles and many other cities before wrapping his North American trek in San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Oct. 23.

The rapper will take a short respite before resuming his tour in Europe. He'll perform through Nov. 17, with a final stop set in Barcelona, Spain.

Tickets go on sale Friday starting at 10 a.m. local time on the tour's official website. There is also a presale event for early access for Cash App Cash Card holders.

Lil Nas X's upcoming world tour is in support of his debut album, "Montero," which produced three RIAA-certified Platinum singles: "That's What I Want," "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" and "Industry Baby."

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Lil Nas X Announces Upcoming Long Live Montero Tour and Says 'U Better Come' — 'Deal?'

Long Live Montero is in support of Lil Nas X's debut album Montero and will kick off on Sept. 6 in Detroit

Sell your houses, cars, pick up extra shifts and don't leave your computer on Friday because Lil Nas X tour tickets are going on sale!

On Tuesday, the "Industry Baby" singer (né Montero Lamar Hill) announced his first-ever tour in support of his debut album Montero .

The tour, titled Long Live Monter,o will make stops across North America and Europe. Kicking off in Detroit on Sept. 6, the star will perform in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up in San Francisco on Oct. 23. The European leg will kick off on Nov. 8 in Amsterdam.

Lil Nas X, 23, expressed his excitement on social media by sharing a photo of his tour poster and writing, "and u better come. or don't idc lol.. jk i do care please come ok? deal?"

Tickets will be available for presale on Cash App Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. PT. They will then go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. on longlivemontero.com .

The news comes after Lil Nas X returned to social media after an almost four-month hiatus in March.

"why are people surprised i've been away for so long? have y'all really never heard of maternity leave?" he joked on Twitter. "i'm so happy i'm back on the internet. I missed me so much."

The Grammy-winning star often uses Twitter to interact and joke around with his fans — so when he suddenly went silent in December after testing positive for COVID , it sparked concern from fans.

But he returned with a clever nod to the fact that he announced his debut album Montero with an over-the-top pregnancy photoshoot for PEOPLE in September.

"I was like, 'Oh my God, this is amazing,' so I immediately called my stylist," he said at the time of listening to Megan Thee Stallion's verse on his song "Dolla Sign Slime." "She was like, 'Wow, this all comes together. Your album. Your baby.' I was like, 'Yeah, this is my baby, huh?' As a joke, she was like, 'Yeah, you should do a pregnancy shoot.'"

RELATED VIDEO: Lil Nas X Reveals He's Pregnant — with His Album — in Over-the-Top Announcement Photos

Lil Nas X released Montero on Sept. 17 and said on Twitter beforehand that its creation was "therapeutic."

"I've changed in so many ways," he told PEOPLE. "I've changed the way that I handle a lot of situations, the way I manage my sadness and anger and just understanding that I don't have to react to emotions in certain ways. I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose how to react. I've learned to let people's comments roll off my back."

He also said he learned through the creation of this album "to have full faith in myself."

"The only person that really has to believe in me is myself," he said. "It's been a lot of self-affirmations this year that I probably would not have been able to do two years ago."

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Lil Nas X Announces 2022 Tour Dates

By Matthew Strauss

Lil Nas X is going on tour in support of his debut album Montero . The North American leg of the Long Live Montero Tour takes place in September and October. The musician will then play shows in Europe and the United Kingdom in November. Find Lil Nas X’s tour dates, as well as a trailer for the tour, below.

Lil Nas X recently performed a suite of Montero songs—including “Dead Right Now,” “ Montero (Call Me by Your Name) ,” and “ Industry Baby ”—at the 2022 Grammy Awards . He got five nominations at the 2022 Grammys, but did not take home any awards .

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09-06 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore 09-10 Chicago, IL - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom 09-15 Toronto, Ontario - History 09-18 Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway 09-20 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall 09-22 Philadelphia, PA - The Met 09-25 Washington, D.C. - The Anthem 09-27 Atlanta, GA - Coca-Cola Roxy 10-01 Nashville, TN - Nashville Municipal Auditorium 10-03 Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live 10-04 Miami, FL - James L Knight Center 10-18 Los Angeles, CA - YouTube Theater 10-21 Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Federal Theatre 10-23 San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium 11-08 Amsterdam, Netherlands - AFAS Live 11-09 Berlin, Germany - Max-Schmeling Halle 11-10 Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle 11-12 London, England - Eventim Apollo 11-14 Paris, France - Zenith 11-15 Brussels, Belgium - Palais 12 11-17 Barcelona, Spain - Sant Jordi Club

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Lil Nas X Is Going On His First Tour: All The Details On 'Long Live Montero'

29 April 2022, 16:21

By Capital FM

Everything you need to know about Lil Nas X's first world tour, Long Love Montero – from when it kickstarts to when he's coming to the UK.

Listen to this article

Lil Nas X is going on tour! The 23-year-old star announced that he will soon be embarking on his first-ever stadium tour in support his debut studio album, ' Montero '.

The Long Live Montero World Tour was announced by the hit-maker on April 26, taking to social media to share the incredible news with his loyal fan base.

Lil Nas X Made The Most Epic TikTok With Stars Including Olivia Rodrigo & Avril Lavigne

The ' Industry Baby ' musician posted a trailer to Twitter, teasing what he has in store for his curated show. In the clip, the star can be heard calling the concerts “my world, my universe” where “everyone’s allowed, except gay people”.

Lil Nas X announces very first tour

When speaking about the upcoming tour, Lil Nas affectionately wrote to his whopping 12.4 million followers on Instagram: "And u better come. or don’t idc lol.. jk i do care please come ok? deal? [sic]"

Initially, there were 21 dates included in the global tour before his team added six more shows due to popular demand!

Nas – whose real name is Montero –  took to Instagram to announce the bonus dates, writing: "Since tickets are selling out i will be adding more dates in new york, chicago, atlanta, detroit, toronto and la [sic]."

To celebrate his smash-hit debut record, the rapper will be jet setting across the globe, completing legs in North America and Europe.

When does Lil Nas' Long Live Montero World Tour begin?

The 'Old Town Road' singer will embark on his tour on September 6, kickstarting the Long Live Montero in Detroit, Michigan.

Lil Nas X will conclude his hotly-anticipated first tour two months later on November 17 in Barcelona – however, tickets are selling out so quickly that fans are already theorising that he could add more dates...

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MONTERO (@lilnasx)

When does Lil Nas X's tour come to the UK?

At the time of writing, Lil Nas has only one show lined up for the UK, performing at the Eventim Apollo in London on Novemebr 12.

The 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)' star has announced seven dates in Europe thus far, he will be taking audiences by storm in Amterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Brussels as well as the aforementioned Barcelona and London dates.

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Lil Nas X announces ‘Long Live Montero’ 2022 European tour

The upcoming tour includes a date in London

Lil Nas X has announced that he’ll be heading out on the road, with some European tour dates scheduled for the end of the year – get tickets below.

• READ MORE: Lil Nas X – ‘Montero’ review: ‘Old Town Road’ prankster makes his case as a Serious Artist

Sharing the news on social media, the rapper wrote: “i’m having my very first tour. and all of u better come or i will cry on instagram live.”

His ‘Long Live Montero’ tour is set to kick off in North America at The Fillmore in Detroit on September 6, and will make stops in Chicago, Nashville, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up in San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on October 23.

The ‘Industry Baby’ hitmaker will then head out to Europe for a run of dates, starting in Amsterdam on November 8, taking in shows in Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Brussels and ending in Barcelona, Spain on November 17.

Among the European dates, Lil Nas X will head to London for a one-off UK show at Eventim Apollo on November 12.

i’m having my very first tour. and all of u better come or i will cry on instagram live. pic.twitter.com/W3Lt8dP04p — MONTERO (@LilNasX) April 26, 2022

Tickets for the North American dates go on sale Friday (April 29) at 10am local time – get them here . European dates go on sale May 6 at 10am local time – get them here . You can see the full list of dates below.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 6 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore 10 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom 15 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY 18 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway 20 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall 22 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met 25 – Washington, DC – The Anthem 27 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy

OCTOBER 2022 1 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium 3 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live 4 – Miami, FL – James L Knight Center 18 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre 23 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

NOVEMBER 2022 8 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live 9 – Berlin, Germany – Max-Schmeling Halle 10 – Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle 12 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo 14 – Paris, France – Zenith 15 – Brussels, Belgium – Palais 12 17 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club

Meanwhile, Lil Nas X has said his new album is “close to finished” when responding to a fan about new music on social media .

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Lil Nas X unveils his 1st tour: All the details on the 'Long Live Montero' tour

Lil Nas X has announced his first tour will take him across the globe this fall.

After teasing a major announcement to his fans, the "Industry Baby" artist shared on Twitter Tuesday: "i'm having my very first tour. and all of u better come or i will cry on instagram live," along with a trailer teasing what's to come.

Dubbed the "Long Live Montero" tour, the Grammy winner will traverse North America and Europe beginning Sept. 6 with a stop at Detroit's The Fillmore.

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From there, Lil Nas X will visit Chicago; Nashville, Tennessee; Los Angeles and many other cities before wrapping his North American trek in San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Oct. 23.

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The rapper will take a short respite before resuming his tour in Europe. He'll perform through Nov. 17, with a final stop set in Barcelona, Spain.

Tickets go on sale Friday starting at 10 a.m. local time on the tour's official website. There is also a presale event for early access for Cash App Cash Card holders.

Lil Nas X's upcoming world tour is in support of his debut album, "Montero," which produced three RIAA-certified Platinum singles: "That's What I Want," "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" and "Industry Baby."

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Lil Nas X’s ‘Long Live Montero’ Documentary Is Heading to HBO & Max

The documentary provides a look at the rapper's life while touring.

By Starr Bowenbank

Starr Bowenbank

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Lil Nas X fans now have the chance to relive his Long Live Montero tour. The trek’s accompanying documentary, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero , is heading to HBO and Max , the network announced Thursday (Jan. 4). The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the news.

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Lil nas x boasts he’s going to have the ‘greatest comeback of all time,’ shares when new song….

In an August press release regarding the documentary’s premiere at TIFF, Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF described Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero as “a triumphant ode to the extraordinary power of self-expression, music, and identity.” She continued, “In this groundbreaking documentary, we witness Lil Nas X challenging boundaries and reshaping the artistic landscape. The film’s captivating journey underscores the profound impact of Lil Nas X, who fearlessly brings audiences together through the universal language of music.”

The HBO and Max debut of Lil Nas’ documentary will arrive on the heels of his new era, which is set to kick off next week with a new song. He has not yet revealed the title for the upcoming track — or its respective album — but the rapper told fans on Jan. 3 that he’s gearing up to have “the greatest comeback of all time.”

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On Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, The Pre-Show Playlist Is Full Of Easter Eggs

Fans can jam to a slew of hits before the singer takes the stage.

Before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour show, fans know it’s time for the pre-party, and the singer has provided the perfect soundtrack. Swift expertly curated a selection of 40 songs that play before she goes onstage at Eras Tour , and many of her selections included Easter eggs, from hints at future collaborations to nods to her opening acts .

The playlist features a variety of artists and genres all designed to pump you up for the concert. From Grammy-winning hitmakers like Lady Gaga and Janet Jackson, to up-and-coming artists like Raye and Griff, fans can expect to hear many hits as Swift gets ready to enter the stage (in a literal janitor’s cart ).

Read on for Swift’s full Eras Tour pre-show playlist, including the songs she added for 2024 stops and the three hits that always play before she takes the stage.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Pre-Show Playlist

Lana del rey - “diet mountain dew”.

Fans who arrive at the Eras Tour early will be greeted by the voice of Swift’s “Snow on the Beach” collaborator Lana Del Rey. Swift chose one of her earliest singles, 2012’s “Diet Mountain Dew,” for the playlist, proving she’s a longtime fan of Del Rey.

Selena Gomez - “Look At Her Now”

Swift gives a shoutout to her BFF Selena Gomez by including “Look At Her Now,” which she danced to when Gomez performed the track at the 2019 American Music Awards.

HAIM - “My Song 5”

Swift has been friends with Alana, Danielle, and Este Haim for so long that she’s often called the fourth Haim sister, and she proves her loyalty by including one of their earliest singles, “My Song 5,” on the playlist.

Griff - “Shade of Yellow”

Swift has shown support to Griff in the past by sending flowers and including her on Apple Music playlists, so it only makes sense that she also puts “Shade of Yellow” on her pre-show playlist.

niceboy ed - “life you lead”

This song started a slew of Swiftie conspiracy theories after Swift used it in a 2022 TikTok video, and fans discovered that niceboy ed’s identity is completely unknown. The mysterious artist has only released two more singles since then, and their inclusion on the Eras Tour playlist only raises more questions about who they are.

Suki Waterhouse - “Moves”

While it’s not one of her most public friendships, Swift has been friends with Suki Waterhouse for quite some time, even singing her praises to SSENSE in August. “She is the wildest person I know who I would also trust to keep any secret,” she said of Waterhouse.

boygenius - “True Blue”

Phoebe Bridgers, one of the boygenius members, collaborated with Swift on “Nothing New” and opened for her on the May 2023 dates of the Eras Tour, so it’s only natural that her band with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus make an appearance on the pre-show playlist.

Florence + the Machine - “King”

Swift’s inclusion of Florence + the Machine’s “King” was seen as a nod to her constant collaborator Jack Antonoff, who produced the song, but it also turned out to be a Swiftian Easter egg for her track with Florence, “Florida!!!” on The Tortured Poets Department .

HAIM - “3 AM”

Swift also included HAIM’s 2020 track “3 AM,” from their Grammy Album of the Year-nominated Women in Music Pt III .

Lil Nas X - “THAT’S WHAT I WANT”

In an adorable full-circle moment, Lil Nas X attended one of Swift’s Chicago shows in June and danced to his own hit while waiting for her to take the stage.

MUNA - “Number One Fan”

MUNA was among the many Eras Tour openers in the U.S., so it’s natural that their anthem, “Number One Fan,” gets a shoutout on the playlist.

Lenny Kravitz - “American Woman”

Swift used Lenny Kravitz’s “American Woman” as her entrance song on the Red Tour, playing it right before she took the stage. Its inclusion on the Eras Tour playlist is a nice throwback nod.

Ethel Cain - “American Teenager”

Swift cleverly contrasts “American Woman” with Ethel Cain’s “American Teenager,” giving two different perspectives on girlhood.

Taylor Swift - “False God”

It’s not known why Swift chose Lover deep-cut “False God” to be the lone representative of her catalog on her pre-show playlist, but it is one of the album’s best songs, so I’m not mad about it.

Hamilton Leithauser - “A 1000 Times”

Singer-songwriter Hamilton Leithauser is friendly with Lucy Dacus, who’s mentioned on Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department , which proves there should be a Six Degrees of Taylor Swift function à la Kevin Bacon .

Kenny Chesney - “Big Star”

Swift was supposed to open for Kenny Chesney on one of his tours but had to drop out because Bud Light was a sponsor, and she was underage at the time. However, the country singer gave her a bonus that jumpstarted her career, so her inclusion of “Big Star” nods to his act of kindness.

Steve Lacy - “Bad Habit”

Swift was clearly feeling Steve Lacy’s performance of “Bad Habit” at the 2022 Grammys, which carried over to the Eras Tour.

Bakar - “Hell N Back”

Bakar released “Hell N Back” in 2019, but it only started going viral in the past year, when it also seemingly caught Swift’s attention.

Saweetie - “Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)”

Given that Swift has many best friends, some of which are featured on the Eras Tour, it’s no surprise that she added Saweetie’s ode to friendship to her playlist.

Doja Cat - “Boss Bitch”

Doja Cat may also have something to do with Swift putting “Best Friend” on her playlist, as she also included the rapper’s viral track “Boss Bitch.”

King Princess - “For My Friends”

Swift has been a fan of King Princess since she rose to fame, even mentioning the singer during her Billboard Woman of the Decade speech in 2019.

Florence + the Machine - “Free”

If “King” wasn’t enough of an Easter egg, Swift's addition of a second Florence song, “Free,” to her pre-show playlist should have been a surefire sign of what was to come.

BLACKPINK - “Pink Venom”

Swift was spotted dancing when BLACKPINK performed “Pink Venom” at the 2022 Video Music Awards. Clearly, she’s a Blink.

Janet Jackson - “All For You”

Swift and Del Rey nodded to Janet Jackson’s 2000 hit “All For You” on “Snow on the Beach,” making it a fitting song to play before the Eras Tour.

Paramore - “Misery Business”

Not only is Swift longtime friends with Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams, but she also collaborated with her on Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) . Plus, the band opened for the first two shows of the Eras Tour and rejoined Swift in Europe, where she specifically requested that they add “Misery Business” to their setlist. Basically, all roads led to this song going on the playlist.

boygenius - “$20”

Swift was inspired to add another boygenius song, perhaps after Baker and Dacus joined Bridgers during her first Eras Tour set.

Fall Out Boy - “My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark”

Swift added Fall Out Boy’s long-winded 2013 hit a few shows into the tour, likely as an Easter egg for their collaboration “Electric Touch” on Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).

Raye & 070 Shake - “Escapism.”

Raye is a known fan of Swift , praising her for re-recording her first six albums.

Faith Hill - “This Kiss”

Faith Hill and her husband, Tim McGraw, have been friends and mentors of Swift since the start of her career (with the latter being the namesake of her debut single), so it’s no surprise that one of Hill’s biggest hits gets a nod during the Eras Tour.

Sabrina Carpenter - “Nonsense”

Swift's inclusion of Sabrina Carpenter’s viral hit “Nonsense” turned out to be an Easter egg hinting at her being the opening act for Eras Tour dates in Latin America, Australia, and Singapore.

Ice Spice - “In Ha Mood”

If you hear Ice Spice’s voice blaring through the speakers, it’s time to head to your seat. Swift including the rapper’s breakout single “In Ha Mood” ended up being an Easter egg for the duo’s “Karma” remix.

Lady Gaga - “Applause”

Swift is a noted Little Monster, having praised Lady Gaga’s single “Applause” back in 2013. As the penultimate song to play before the Eras Tour, it plays as if Swift is demanding applause and hyping up the crowd for her arrival.

Lesley Gore - “You Don’t Own Me”

As the two-minute-and-13-second countdown begins, Lesley Gore’s 1963 classic “You Don’t Own Me” plays over the speakers and usually causes an empowering sing-along in the crowd. It’s an apt choice for Swift’s pre-entrance song amid her re-recording process, sending a clear message that her music is hers and hers alone.

New Songs Added To 2024 Eras Tour Playlist

Holly Humberstone - “Down Swinging”

Australian artist Holly Humberstone seems to be a newer discovery for Swift, given how the two singers have yet to speak about each other.

Maisie Peters - “History of Man”

Maisie Peters’ new single was produced by Swift’s good friend and collaborator Ed Sheeran, making its inclusion a subtle nod to both artists.

Camila Cabello - “I LUV IT (feat. Playboi Carti)”

Camila Cabello previously opened for Swift on 2018’s Reputation Stadium Tour, and given how Swift added her new single “I LUV IT” to her playlist, they have seemingly stayed close since then.

Doja Cat - “Agora Hills”

Swift adding a third Doja Cat song, the 2023 single “Agora Hills,” to the playlist shows how big of a stan she is.

Gracie Abrams - “Risk”

At first, Swift's addition of Abrams’ new single “Risk” to the playlist seemed like a nod to her frequent Eras Tour opener, who will rejoin the tour in October. However, it ended up also being another Easter egg about their collaboration “Us” on Abrams’ upcoming album, Secret of Us .

Rudimental - “Waiting All Night (feat. Ella Eyre)”

There’s no known connection between Swift and Rudimental, which just means that she must be a fan of the song .

What do last-minute Roots Picnic tickets cost to see Lil Wayne, Nas?

Vivid Seats is the New York Post’s official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase.

The Roots know music.

And on June 1-2, the beloved 12-piece Hip-Hop outfit will show off their exquisite taste with their annual curated Roots Picnic Festival at their hometown Philadelphia, PA’s Fairmount Park.

Big names they’re brining in this year include rap and R&B icons like Lil Wayne , Nas , Jill Scott, Gunna , and Method Man with Redman .

Fantasia , Sexyy Red , Victoria Monét, Babyface , and Wale will be there, too.

Plus, André 3000 is dropping in for a special live performance of his recently released album “New Blue Sun.”

In total, nearly 40 artists are scheduled to perform at the two-day extravaganza.

Sound like the fest for you?

If that’s the case, last-minute tickets are still available.

At the time of publication, two-day general admission passes start at $217 before fees on Vivid Seats.

Single-day passes can be found for as low as $130 before fees.

Still looking for a bit more information before smashing that buy button ?

We’ve got everything you need to know and more about the 2024 Roots Picnic below.

All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation.

A complete breakdown of all the best prices on single and multi-day Roots Picnic passes can be found here:

(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and include additional fees at checkout .)

Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. 

They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event.

As noted above, almost 40 artists will be taking the stage at the star-studded fest.

For a closer look, here’s everyone set to perform on June 1-2 at the Philly fest:

If you can’t make it to Roots Picnic, no need to worry.

Many major acts just might be headed to a city near you in the next few months.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live:

•  Missy Elliott with Busta Rhymes

•  A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

• Nicki Minaj

• 21 Savage

•  Megan Thee Stallion

Who else is out and about? Take a look at our list of the 50 biggest concert tours in 2024 to find out.

This article was written by Matt Levy , New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed Bruce Springsteen and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase.

Roots Picnic 2024 Highlights: Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red, Nas, André 3000

The Roots Picnic , held yearly in Philadelphia since 2008, is a special kind of music festival . The lineup this year covered a wide spectrum of hip-hop and R&B, plus country, go-go, and more, with the Roots ’ own omnivorous musicality as the guiding force. Daily crowds of 30,000 made the pilgrimage to Fairmount Park to soak up the sun and sounds on June 1 and 2. There were surprise guests (Ghostface! Common! Freeway! Lloyd! Musiq Soulchild!), outstanding collaborations, a couple of disappointing no-shows (Cam’Ron, you were missed), and tons more performances across three stages. It added up to a bountiful celebration of Black music and a joyful start to summer. Here are the best things we saw at the Roots Picnic 2024.

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But eventually, it was time for Sexyy to take the stage. She’s a red-hot rapper right now, but her DJ told the amped-up crowd to “stand for the president.” From the giant, red “Make America Sexy Again” cap onstage to the faux Secret Service agent who walked her out, it’s clear that Sexyy is infusing the 2024 election into her marketing. After her roughly 40-minute set, it’s no question that she’s the people’s choice when it comes to turn-up music. Sexyy had been rapping for a while, but she broke out early last year with “Poundtown,” and has been dropping hit after hit since then, even through a pregnancy. Her performance demonstrated how impressive her catalog already is, from 2023 hits like “SkeeYee” and “Hellcats SRTs” to brand-new tracks like “U My Everything” and “Awesome Jawsome.” It was easy to tell how much fun she’s having onstage, taking choice moments during her song to twerk, which invigorated the mostly-woman crowd. —A.G.

Nas Takes It Back to ’94

After bringing it back to earth with his verse from Raekwon’s “Verbal Intercourse,” Nas brought out a surprise guest — Ghostface Killah, who did his part on that song and kept it going with his own “Cherchez La Ghost.” The two stars exchanged compliments, calling each other “the greatest rapper of all time” (Ghost to Nas) and “my fucking favorite rapper right there” (Nas to Ghost). It was a moment of mutual pride and respect that felt like what the Roots Picnic is all about. —S.V.L.

Fantasia Takes Us to Church

Fantasia has the kind of voice that can stop you in your tracks — and if you were walking anywhere near the main stage around 5 p.m. on Sunday, that’s what happened when the Color Purple star came out to join the multitalented bassist and musical director Adam Blackstone’s set. Her powerhouse vocals soared over the rich, organic sound that Blackstone put together, with live organ, horns, and drums fueling the emotional climax of her 2004 single “Free Yourself.” The crowd cheered for her heartfelt, gospel-rooted, deeply moving performance, which continued with a cover of “Proud Mary” that was soft and slow-burning at first. Then the band kicked in, Fantasia channeled Tina Turner’s eternal soul, and the afternoon soared higher. —S.V.L.

Backyard and Scarface Bring the DMV to Philly 

Washington, D.C.’s Backyard Band traveled up I-95 and brought the vibes with them on the festival’s second day. The five-person band gave a thrilling 45-minute set that gave Picnic attendees a taste of go-go, the Washington-centric genre dominated by percussion, anthemic choruses, and two-step-stoking grooves. The set started with Amerie , who sang two early-2000s era hits: “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” and “1 Thing.” There may have been many Picnic attendees who love her hits but were unaware of the go-go influence of those Rich Harrison-crafted singles; if so, they got a treatise on Sunday, with energetic percussion backing Amerie’s pleas for romance. 

André 3000 Goes on a Cosmic Journey

All weekend long, people were talking about André 3000’s set. They wore vintage OutKast tees and newer ones for his instrumental solo album, New Blue Sun . “He’d better be rapping,” one Picnic attendee could be overheard telling a friend on Sunday afternoon. A few hours later, the man himself appeared at the center of a semicircle of tall, mirrored panels awash in red and gold light. This was the festival’s second stage, an amphitheater whose seated crowd stood up and cheered wildly at the first keening note from André’s digital flute. There were four backing musicians surrounding him — music director Carlos Niño, guitarist Nate Mercereau, keyboardist Surya Botofasina, and drummer Deantoni Parks — and they added atmospheric touches of percussion and gentle synth washes to André’s exploratory solos on flutes from China, Thailand, and ancient Maya sources. This was serene, mind-expanding music, closer to ambient legend Laraaji (who joined André at a recent concert in New York ) than to any era of hip-hop. Later, André played a xylophone with mallets, turning the sound toward jazz.

One thing he didn’t do was rap. About 15 minutes into the set, André stepped to the mic and uttered a string of indecipherable sounds, then paused. “Philadelphia, I just want to let you know I made all that shit up,” he said mischievously. “It’s a new language, y’all…. We’re just pulling things out of the sky, harvesting them and throwing them back at y’all, live and direct. Everything we play tonight is made up on the spot.” The music he’s making now might feel a little perverse, if you’re looking for the lyricist who rewired your brain with “Elevators” or “Chonkyfire.” But maybe all those years of outside-the-box brilliance on the mic rewired his brain, too. And should we really want an artist beloved for racing forward to stand still? —S.V.L.

The Roots and Lil Wayne Close in Grand Fashion

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It was fitting that before the man of the hour, the Roots entertained the crowd with a set that was full of the free-wheeling live instrumentation that made them music legends. After all, if it wasn’t for their extensive catalog, the Roots Picnic probably wouldn’t exist to this magnitude. 

But after a 30-minute plus Roots set, it was time for Lil Wayne to take the stage. New Orleans’ biggest rap superstar shuffled through his decades-spanning catalog, going from hits like “Fireman” and “Hustler Muzik” to Carter III -era classics “Lollipop” and “Mrs. Officer.” For good measure, he brought things to the present tense with “Uproar.” By that point, the thousands left in the venue had all eyes on Wayne, and he delivered with an energetic medley of his iconic catalog — all backed by the Roots’ endlessly flexible grooves. —A.G.

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9 Lively Sets From The 2024 Roots Picnic: Jill Scott, Lil Wayne, Nas, Sexyy Red, & More

From hit-filled sets by The-Dream and Babyface to a star-studded tribute to New Orleans, the 2024 iteration of the Roots Picnic was action-packed. Check out a round-up of some of the most exciting sets here.

As June kicked off over the weekend, The Roots notched another glorious celebration at West Philadelphia's Fairmount Park with the 16th annual Roots Picnic. This year's festival featured even more activations, food vendors, attendees, and lively performances.

On Saturday, June 1, the action was established from the onset. October London and Marsha Ambrosius enlivened the soul of R&B lovers, while Method Man and Redman brought out surprise guests like Chi-town spitter Common and A$AP Ferg for a showstopping outing. 

Elsewhere, rappers Smino and Sexyy Red flashed their St. Louis roots and incited fans to twerk through the aisles of the TD Pavilion. And Philly-born Jill Scott 's sultry vocals made for a memorable homecoming performance during her headlining set. 

The momentum carried over to day two on Sunday, June 2, with rising stars like Shaboozey and N3WYRKLA showing the Roots Picnic crowd why their names have garnered buzz. Later in the day, rapper Wale brought his signature D.C. swag to the Presser Stage. And while Gunna 's performance was shorter than planned, it still lit the fire of younger festgoers. 

Closing out the weekend was a savory tribute to New Orleans courtesy of The Roots themselves, which also starred Lil Wayne , acclaimed R&B vocalists, an illustrious jazz band, and some beloved NoLa natives. 

Read on for some of the most captivating moments and exciting sets from the 2024 Roots Picnic. 

The-Dream Serenaded On The Main Stage

The-Dream | Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

After years away from the bright lights of solo stardom, The-Dream made a triumphant return to the festival stage on Saturday. The GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer played his timeless R&B hits like "Falsetto" and "Shawty Is Da S––," reminding fans of his mesmerizing voice and renowned penmanship.

His vocals melted into the sunset overlooking Fairmount Park Saturday evening. And even in moments of audio malfunctions, he was able to conjure the greatness he's displayed as a solo act. Although, it may have looked easier than it was for the Atlanta-born musician: "Oh, y'all testing me," he said jokingly. 

The-Dream slowed it down with the moodier Love vs. Money album cut "Fancy," then dug into the pop-funk jam "Fast Car" and the bouncy "Walkin' On The Moon." He takes fans on a ride through his past sexual exploits on the classic "I Luv Your Girl," and closes on a fiery note with the "Rockin' That S—." While even he acknowledged that his set wasn't perfect, it left fans hoping to see more from the artist soon. 

Smino Rocked Out With His Philly "Kousins"

Smino | Shaun Llewellyn

Despite somewhat of a "niche" or cult-like following, Smino galvanized music lovers from all corners to the Presser Stage. The St. Louis-bred neo-soul rapper played silky jams like "No L's" and "Pro Freak" from 2022's Luv 4 Rent , then dove into the sultry records from his earlier projects.

"Klink" set the tone for the amplified showcase, with fans dancing in their seats and through the aisles. His day-one fans — or "kousins," as he lovingly refers to them — joined him on songs like the head-bopping "Z4L," and crooned across the amphitheater on the impassioned "I Deserve." 

Under Smino's musical guidance, the crowd followed without a hitch anywhere in the performance. It further proved how magnetic the "Netflix & Dusse" artist is live, and how extensive his reach has become since his 2017 debut, blkswn.

Nas Took Fans Down Memory Lane

Nas | Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

The New York and Philadelphia connection was undeniable Saturday, as legendary Queensbridge MC Nas forged the two distinctive cities for a performance that harnessed an "Illadelph State of Mind."

The "I Gave You Power" rapper played his first show in Philadelphia as a teenager, when he only had one verse under his belt: Main Source's 1991 song "Live at the BBQ." Back then, Nas admitted to underplaying the city's influence, but he knew then what he knows now — "I had to step my s— up." And he did.

The rapper played iconic songs like "Life's a B–" and "Represent" from his landmark debut Illmatic , which celebrated 30 years back in April. He even brought out Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah to add to the lyrical onslaught, and played records like "Oochie Wally" and "You Owe Me" to enliven his female fans.

Sexyy Red Incited A Twerk Fest

Sexyy Red | Frankie Vergara

Hot-ticket rapper Sexyy Red arrived on the Presser Stage with a message: "Make America Sexyy Again." And as soon as Madam Sexyy arrived, she ignited a riot throughout the TD Pavilion aisles. Twerkers clung onto friends and grasped nearby railings to dance to strip club joints like "Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Dad)" and "Hood Rats."

Red matched the energy and BPM-attuned twerks from her fans, which only intensified as her lyrics grew more explicit. Sexyy encouraged all of the antics with a middle finger to the sky, her tongue out, and her daring lyrics filling the air. Songs like "SkeeYee" and "Pound Town" added to the nonstop action, leaving fans in a hot sweat — and with their inner sexyy fully unlocked.

Jill Scott Delivered Some Homegrown Magic

Jill Scott (left) and Tierra Whack | Marcus McDonald

To close out night one, the Roots Picnic crowd congregated at the Park Stage for a glimpse of Philadelphia's native child, Jill Scott. The famed soulstress swooned with her fiery voice and neo-soul classics like "A Long Walk" and "The Way." Fans swayed their hips and sang to the night sky as Scott sprinkled her musical magic.

Scott, wrapped up in warm, sapphire-toned garments, was welcomed to the stage by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. The newly elected official rallied the audience for a "Philly nostalgic" evening, and the GRAMMY-winning icon delivered a soaring performance that mirrored her vocal hero, Kathleen Battle. "Philadelphia, you have all of my love," Scott gushed. "I'm meant to be here tonight at this Roots Picnic."

"Jilly from Philly" invited some of the city's finest MCs to the stage for the jam session. Black Thought rapped along her side for The Roots' "You Got Me," and Tierra Whack stepped in for the premiere of her and Scott's unreleased rap song, a booming ode to North Philly. 

Fantasia & Tasha Cobbs Leonard Brought Electrifying Energy

Fantasia | Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

Led by the musical maestro Adam Blackstone , singers Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Fantasia set the warmness of Sunday service and their Southern flare with a "Legacy Experience." And as the title of the performance suggests, their fiery passion was a thread of musical mastery.

As fans danced across the lawn, it was just as much a moment of worship as it was a soulful jam — and only the dynamic voices of the two Southern acts could do the job. "Aren't y'all glad I took y'all there this Sunday," Blackstone said.

The sanctity of Tasha Cobbs Leonard's vocals was most potent on "Put A Praise On It," and Fantasia's power brought the house down even further with classics like "Free Yourself" and "When I See U."

"I wasn't supposed to come up here and cut. I'm trying to be cute," Fantasia joked after removing her shoes on stage. The North Carolina native's lips quivered and her hands shook in excitement, as she continued to uplift the audience — fittingly closing with a roaring rendition of Tina Turner's "Proud Mary."

Babyface Reminded Of His Icon Status

Babyface | Marcus McDonald

There are few artists who could dedicate a full set to their own records, or the hits they've penned for other musicians. And if you don't know how special that is, Babyface won't hesitate to remind you. "I wrote this back in 1987," he said before singing the Whispers ' "Rock Steady."

Throughout the legendary R&B singer's 45-minute set, he switched between his timeless records like "Every Time I Close My Eyes" and "Keeps on Fallin'," and those shared by the very artists he's inspired — among them, Bobby Brown 's "Don't Be Cruel" and "Every Little Step," 

Fans across several generations gathered to enjoy the classic jams. There was a look of awe in their eyes, as they marveled at the work and memories Babyface has created over more than four decades. 

André 3000 Offered Layers Of Creativity

André 3000 | Marcus McDonald

Speculation over what André 3000 would bring to his Sunday night set was the buzz all weekend. Fans weren't sure if they were going to hear the "old André," or the one blowing grandiose tones from a flute on his solo debut, 2023's New Blue Sun .

The former Outkast musician went for the latter, and while some fans were dismayed by the lack of bars, hundreds stayed for the highly rhythmic set. "Welcome to New Blue Sun live," André said. The majestic chimes and flowy notes of his performance reflect a new creative outlook, and as the performance went on, there was a cloud of coolness that loomed over the amphitheater.

His artistic approach is new to many fans, but he never stopped showcasing the personality they have grown to love. After delivering a message in an indistinguishable language, he panned to the crowd with a look of deep thought and said, "I just want y'all to know, I made all that s— up." It's the kind of humor fans have admired from him for decades, and moments like those are one of many reasons they stayed to watch the nuances of the MC's set.

Lil Wayne & The Roots Gave New Orleans Its Magnolias

Trombone Shorty (left) and Black Thought | Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

The sound of jazz trombones and the gleam of Mardi Gras colors transported West Philly to the bustling streets of New Orleans for the closing set of Roots Picnic 2024. The ode to the Big Easy featured natives like Lloyd, PJ Morton and the marvelous Trombone Shorty , all of whom helped deliver a celebratory tribute that matched the city's vibrance.

Lloyd floated to the stage singing The Roots' "Break You Off," and delved into his own catalog with "Get It Shawty" and "You." Morton soon followed with a soulful run of his R&B records, including "The Sweetest Thing" and "Please Be Good."

With anticipation on full tilt, Black Thought welcomed the festival closer to the stage with a message: "It's only right if Philly pays homage to New Orleans that we bring out Lil Wayne." And right on cue, Wayne drew a wave of cheers as he began "Mr. Carter."

Wayne strung together his biggest Billboard-charting and street hits, including "Uproar," "Hustler's Muzik" and "Fireman." The performance was a rousing cap-off to the weekend — and it clearly meant a lot to the rapper to rep his city in such grand fashion.

"This is a dream come true," Wayne said. "It's a motherf–ing honor."

11 New Music Festivals To Attend In 2024: No Values, We Belong Here & More

Photo: Chase Foster

Tanner Adell's Big Year: The Country Newcomer Talks Stagecoach, "BLACKBIIRD," & Meeting Her Childhood Idols

As Tanner Adell continues making waves in country music, she shares some of the most monumental moments from her career so far — from featuring on Beyoncé's critically acclaimed 'COWBOY CARTER' to making space for Black women at the CMT Music Awards.

With one bold tweet, Tanner Adell 's life changed.

"As one of the only Black girls in the country music scene, I hope Bey decides to sprinkle me with a dash of her magic for a collab," she wrote , minutes after Beyoncé premiered "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" and "16 CARRIAGES" during this year's Super Bowl in February.

At first, Adell was mocked for her pitch. "You're trying too hard, love," one user said. Another chimed in, "Baby, that album is finished with all the songs cleared. I don't know about this one. Maybe, open for the tour," another user remarked.

But she wasn't bothered by the chatter: "Those people said I look desperate, I'm like, 'You must not know me, b—!" Adell reveals to GRAMMY.com with a hearty laugh. 

Confidence is the inner core of the Tanner Adell ethos. And her boldness paid off because shortly after when Beyoncé approached her to feature on COWBOY CARTER .

In Adell's first music release of 2024, she appeared alongside Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts in Beyoncé's cover of "BLACKBIIRD" by The Beatles . It was a full-circle moment for Adell in more ways than one, as her father used to sing the song to her as a child. Little did she know, decades later, she would popularize the track's backstory — the plight of Black women in the American South — alongside one of her heroes.

But before Adell became one of Beyoncé's songbirds, she was also the Buckle Bunny . On the 11-track mixtape, Adell traced the provocative tales of an acrylic nail-wearing, lasso-wielding heartbreaker. But for every Black girl that listens, it's more than a country project. It's also a reminder that it's okay to be feminine and girly, just like Shania Twain , Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift .

Among her rodeo of exciting firsts, Adell tacks another on June 8, when she makes her debut at Nashville's Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest. She'll perform on the Platform Stage at the stadium; the next day, she'll play a set at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage outside of Bridgestone Arena.

Below, hear from Adell about her most memorable firsts thus far, from having her debut daytime television performance on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" to bonding with Gayle King behind the scenes at Stagecoach Music Festival.

Seeing Her Breakthrough Single, "Buckle Bunny," Have A Second Life

I released "Buckle Bunny" on the Buckle Bunny EP in July 2023. I actually teased it on social media first. Almost nine months before that, I had gone super viral with it. It was doing incredibly well, so my plans were to release it in January or February of last year. But, I ended up signing a record deal in December of 2022. There were plans for it at that time, but the timeline kept getting pushed back. It turned into a fight to get that song back into my hands, which was what prompted me to go independent. Eventually, I was able to work with my label, shake hands, and mutually part ways.

I started this year as an independent artist with this song that everybody loves. It's become a huge part of my brand, but it's really my life story. People might think it's a dumb song that was easy to write, but I was called a "buckle bunny." As a teenager growing up between Los Angeles and Star Valley, Wyoming, I was into glam country, and "Buckle Bunny" is the pinnacle of that. 

"Buckle Bunny" was my first single that charted. I felt like I finally had broken through that invisible box that Nashville put me in as a country musician. It was me saying, I'm not going to follow any rules. I'm going to be as true to myself as possible.

We, as Black women, have been fighting our whole lives. We've been fighting for space. I'm purposely trying to bring softness into the picture, allowing women who listen to my music to know that it's okay to feel that way. We don't always have to have our walls up.

"Buckle Bunny" is aggressively confident, but I think that's the door to softness. You have to be self-assured to let your walls down. My newest single, "Whiskey Blues," is my next step into that. I have another song on my social media, "Snakeskin," that people want me to release. "Buckle Bunny" is like the girl who protects those softer moments.

In a way, I look at all of this as a relationship between Tanner Adell, the artist, and Tanner, the person. For me, Tanner Adell is the buckle bunny. Then, you have Tanner, who's on the inside, writing all of these songs.

Serving A Bold Fashion Statement On Her First Major Red Carpet

Ask and ye shall receive 🤎 CMT back stage w John Shearer https://t.co/fO6lNtYVr3 pic.twitter.com/NekkeT01oz — Tanner Adell (@tanneradell) April 10, 2024

I wore Bantu knots! I've always loved Bantu knots in all styles, the really small ones and the larger ones. There were ideas about whether I should do a certain number of them that was significant to me in some way.

I work very closely with Bill Wackermann, who was the CEO of Wilhemina Models. He does a lot of styling and has a close relationship with my manager. So, my manager was like, "You would love him!" At the time, I was trying to hone in on what myself is. What's the message I'm trying to convey through my fashion, hair, and beauty? 

Bill sat down with me, and I told him I wanted Natalia Fedner to do my dress, which is that stretchy chain metal dress. Originally, I thought I would do my long blonde hair, but Bill was the one who told me, "This is your first major red carpet as an invited artist. Think about what you want your hair to say." As a Black woman, our hair tells 1,000 stories with whatever it is, and the lightbulb went off in my head.

I knew I wanted my hair to say everything I needed to say without having to say anything at all. I also knew there would be a lot of people who didn't know the significance behind it or just thought it was some extreme hairstyle.

I've looked very deeply into my heritage. It turns out I have a bit of Bantu heritage in my DNA. I thought that was so cool because I do love the knots so much.

The CMT Awards were a big thing at my school, Utah Valley University. Everyone would get together in the dorms and watch the show. It's crazy that a couple years ago, I was watching it, and I'm here now. I feel very respected and loved. People I've looked up to would come up to me, and I was like, "I'm a huge fan." And they're like, "No! I listened to you ."

I got to meet Gayle King, who I absolutely love. I remember watching her from afar while she was doing "CBS Mornings." She saw me from across the room, and I kid you not, in the middle of her interview, she started walking towards me. She was like, "I just want to tell you that you're so beautiful. The Bantu knots are stunning." That was my favorite moment of the night.

I also had the chance to see Tiera Kennedy. She's so sweet. We got matching blackbird tattoos before that. Being on the red carpet for the first time, it was comforting to see a familiar face. It really reinforces that idea that I belong here.

Being A Part Of COWBOY CARTER

So, I'm adopted. I have four siblings. We're all biracial, but our adoptive parents are both white. Obviously, my dad is a white man with five Black children. My parents always wanted me to understand that I am a Black woman, and he was very educational when it came to music. He taught me about the Black female power players and the buzz in the industry. But The Beatles were his favorite. So, when I finally told them the news, my dad immediately got choked up. He told me that "Blackbird" was one of his favorite Beatles songs.

My dad isn't the best with words when it comes to expressing his emotions, especially in front of people. He's a quiet, reserved dude. So, he eventually texts me, sending me screenshots about the meaning behind "Blackbird." The reason why it was his favorite song was because he had Black girls, and he told me, "This is special. This is not a burden to carry, but it might be a bit of weight on your shoulders. Keep your head up high and walk knowing that this is why he wrote this song."

I can remember going to a recital as a kid and being so nervous, but my dad was so confident and excited about my abilities. Was that strategic? Was it quiet strength? Maybe. It feels like this song has been a part of my whole life. So, to be on it, on such a massive album, feels very divine.

The whole process was a surprise. It took a few weeks to set in. But I always knew I would work with [Beyoncé], and I always said it's a matter of "when," not if. 

On the day of the Super Bowl, I saw that black-and-white picture of her, and I thought it looked a lot like a photoshoot that I took the week before. Let me make a tweet, just to put it out there. I don't know — she's magical! She has her way of knowing everything that's going on all the time. 

I think that tweet has almost 10 million views. It was fun to go back to that tweet to see the people who were supporting me. And also getting to say "I told you" to the people who didn't. It kicked off a Renaissance — pun intended.

Performing At Her First Stagecoach Music Festival

thank you so much @Stagecoach and thank you to @LEVIS for making me the first artist EVER to perform at Stage Coach with a custom Levi’s fit 🥹 thankyou for executing my vision so perfectly 🩷 https://t.co/NFs26JkC2j — Tanner Adell (@tanneradell) April 28, 2024

I have bad social anxiety, and I get nervous in front of crowds and people. So, festivals were never something that interested me, but Stagecoach was always one I felt like I could go to. And I was not disappointed.

I had the first slot of the day, which is a s—ty slot for anyone, but you have to pay your dues in country music. It's how you build your cred with these festivals, to show you're a hard worker and will perform like you're at a sold-out show in Madison Square Garden. And I did.

Mentally, I prepared for no one. I told myself it was okay if nobody came, and I'll perform like I always do. I'll figure out where the camera is and perform it for the jumbotron, so if no one comes to the pit, the people watching the livestream will have a great show. 

Well, I didn't have an empty pit! People showed the f— up and out. I heard people in line thought they were going to miss it because the gates opened late. Within the first 10 minutes, the VIP pit was half-filled with people screaming and running in their sweet little cowboy boots and hats. That never happens at Stagecoach or Coachella, but it's a testament to the relationship I built within my listeners. It was eye-opening for me. I don't think I'm ever going to play to a dead crowd again.

Before, Levi's reached out and said I was the first artist they wanted to collaborate with for Stagecoach. So, they custom-made my outfit. I told them I have these ribbons, inspired by my mom, who was a rodeo queen. I also told them if they can't incorporate them, I probably won't do it. But they loved it! And it was special because it came back to my mom. She was a winner, so when I wear the ribbons, I'm also a winner.

My mom has competed in over 1,000 competitions and probably places in half of those. In Wyoming, we had a big wall, covered in those IQHA (International Quarter Horse Association) ribbons. She gave me a strong sense of competition.

Making Her Debut On Daytime TV

I have overcome very serious, debilitating stage fright. I don't get nervous anymore, and performing live is my favorite thing. But I was not prepared for what a television show taping looks like.

We had a soundcheck, and there were a bunch of suits in groups of threes and fours standing everywhere. There were all these cameras and lights. Then, I start realizing I'm about to meet J. Hud, who I made little custom Crocs for. It was a dream come true.

I know a lot about her story. We have very different upbringings, but we're similar in the sense of trying to stand on ground that isn't steady. I see her as someone who is a great example. She's reached so many different avenues. For me to be able to sit down with an EGOT winner is a great honor. 

I kind of like to keep my manifestations as quiet as possible. I don't tell anybody anything, but an EGOT is something I wouldn't mind having, you know?

I look at her as a woman who exceeded greatness. So, it was just amazing — and for my first television debut. I felt like this is right for me.

Why 2024 Is The Year Women In Country Music Will Finally Have Their Moment

Photos (L-R): Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BRELAND & Friends, Jason Kempin/Getty Images for iHeartRadio, Amy E. Price/Getty Images, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Brynn Osborn/CBS via Getty Images, Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM, Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BRELAND & Friends

Get Ready For CMA Fest 2024: Listen To A Playlist By Dasha, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, Avery Anna, & Dalton Dover

As country stars and fans flock to Nashville for CMA Fest, five of the lineup's most exciting acts curated a playlist of the songs they're looking forward to hearing live — from Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" to Lainey Wilson's "Watermelon Moonshine."

For more than 50 years, the Country Music Association has hosted the genre's biggest annual party in Nashville, Tennessee: CMA Fest . Originally dubbed Fan Fair, what began as a 5,000-person celebration of country music has turned into a four-day festival that draws an estimated 90,000 people each day. And with the genre being at an all-time high , the 2024 iteration of CMA Fest might just be the most thrilling yet.

The 51st annual CMA Fest will take over Nashville from June 6-9, with upwards of 300 country artists performing. As rising stars — and returning CMA Fest performers — Avery Anna, Dalton Dover and Chase Matthew will tell you, the magic of the weekend affair has always come down to the fans.

" I love the connection that the festival provides between artists and fans," Anna says. Dover adds, " Whether it's being reunited with those I've met in the past or getting some time to say hello to all the new faces in the crowd, it's just so special to be able to connect with everyone over our love for country music."

Matthew, who grew up in Nashville, has been part of both sides of CMA Fest. "I've seen CMA Fest grow to become this epic event that every music fan should experience," he says. "It's a great opportunity for fans to see and interact with their favorite country stars, as well as discover new artists they may not have had the opportunity to hear yet."

THE WAIT IS OVER. Buy #CMAfest four-night passes: https://t.co/rBbckYh5A8 Single night tickets on sale at 10AM/CT pic.twitter.com/OqW3YqD0RP — CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) March 14, 2024

Even Dasha, who will be experiencing her first CMA Fest this year, knows just how important it is to any country music artist or fan: "CMA Fest is such an iconic celebration of country music."

Thanks to the runaway success of her hit "Austin," Dasha will be taking the Platform Stage at Nissan Stadium, which will highlight two budding stars each night amid performances from the genre's biggest names. "When I got that call, I got online to see the number of seats there and my jaw was on the ground," she recalls. "That'll be my biggest show to date, and I can't wait to show the people what we've got."

This year's CMA Fest also marks a first for Ella Langley, who will make her inaugural appearance on the Chevy Riverfront Stage in a "full-circle moment." And in teasing what she'll bring to her set, Langley encapsulated the energy of CMA Fest as a whole: "I hope the fans are ready for a bunch of dancing, a good message and a really good time."

As they prepped for CMA Fest 2024, Ella Langley, Dasha, Chase Matthew, Dalton Dover, and Avery Anna helped curate a playlist of songs they're excited to see — and perform — live. Whether or not you'll be heading to Nashville, jam out to tracks from Kelsea Ballerini , Sam Hunt , Cody Johnson, Zach Top , Megan Moroney , and more.

CMA Fest Turns 50: Lainey Wilson, Brett Young, Reba McEntire & More Share Memories From The Country Staple

Photo: Lauren Desberg

Jasmine Cephas Jones' Lifelong Journey To 'Phoenix': "It's The Album I've Always Wanted To Make"

You might know Jasmine Cephas Jones for her dual role as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in the Broadway adaptation of 'Hamilton.' On her debut album, 'Phoenix,' she's ready to unmask who she is beyond the stage.

For years, Jasmine Cephas Jones never saw herself as a recording artist.

As a teen, she attended multiple meetings with producers, but nothing felt authentic. In her twenties, she went the Broadway route, securing the dual role of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in the original cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda 's Hamilton . And even after she created her debut EP, Blue Bird , in 2020, Cephas Jones' future was still uncertain; the pandemic happened, and a string of hard moments left her wondering what would be next — and what would become of her music. 

Even so, her creativity was booming. She wrote and recorded an entire album's worth of music alongside seven trusty collaborators, including Blue Bird producer Zach Golden and Samora Pinderhughes, who co-wrote a track on Blue Bird and produced Phoenix . Nearly four years later, that project finally gets to see the light of day: her debut album, fittingly titled Phoenix . 

The 13-track LP started as a story of romance. But as Cephas Jones sat with the songs, she discovered her most fulfilling relationships were found in her family, friends, collaborations, and artwork, offering an entirely new meaning of connection and perseverance. As a result, Phoenix is a patchwork of her life, and every formative moment in her musical upbringing: It's her mother's love of Stevie Wonder 's witty lyricism on "Bad Habits," her father's penchant for Prince 's genre-bending production on "Fade in the Water," and her years of opera training on "Cali." As Cephas Jones puts it, it "just sounds like me."

Before Phoenix arrived on May 30, Jasmine Cephas Jones sat down with GRAMMY.com to discuss how she grew from the bluebird into the phoenix, and to revisit the moments throughout her career that cultivated into her first full-length studio album.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jasmine Cephas Jones (@jazzy_joness)

What does the title, Phoenix , mean to you?

I wrote this album about three and a half years ago. I rented out an Airbnb, and seven of us worked on it. We made two studios in two different rooms. I remember telling everyone that I wanted a transformation in my sound.

As an artist, everyone goes, "Well, who do you sound like?" Or, "What genre are you?" Musically, I'm just trying to sound like me.

My first EP, Blue Bird , was very melancholy. It has that blue color feeling to it. But with [ Phoenix ], I wanted it to have a lot of confidence. That was the only thing I said. The music could be love or breakup songs. We can write whatever it is that moves us, but it has to have some confidence in it.

Towards the end of that week-long writing group, I was like, "Wow, I really changed musically." This sounds like it has my stamp on it, but it's like a level up. That's initially why I did it.

Life happened. I went through a lot of really hard moments, and the album shifted. It became a metaphor for what was going on. For a long time, I didn't know how I was going to put out Phoenix since everything changed. I didn't know what the story would be, but in reality, it was all right there in front of me. I'm a person going through a difficult time and coming out stronger. Someone who has grown and learned.

How would you say that growth is represented throughout this album — is it in the songwriting? The visuals?

All of it! It's almost like Shakespeare, where everything is written for you. You know, you don't have to do much with Shakespeare.

I was trying to find answers to how the music represented me for so many years. Like I said, I wrote it three years ago. What am I doing putting it out when I am a completely different person? 

I knew it was the album I've always wanted to make. And honestly, now, some of the songs hit harder or mean something else. It strikes a different chord, but that is what makes music so beautiful. If it's done in the right way, with emotion and passion, it's the type of album you can listen to, no matter what decade you're in. It'll still move you, make you dance, make you cry. I'm excited to perform it and have it out because it's going to be such a great release for me.

A tour, maybe?

Yeah, yeah. In the future for sure.

When you listen to it, it's really important that you hear these incredible musicians. Samora Pinderhughes really goes in on a lot of these tracks. Beautiful outros. We've got horns on some of them.

It's an album that feels alive. I remember thinking how much I would enjoy performing it with the live instruments and a full band. That's what excites me as an artist.

The lead single, "Brighter," features Kevin Garrett. How did that come about? And why did you think that track would be the perfect song to lead the new era?

Kevin was a part of the writing camp that was there for seven days, and "Brighter" was one of my favorite songs off that album. I wanted to create a super funky beat. I got this rimshot that reminds me of some track on D'Angelo 's Voodoo . It's got this kind of classic, in-the-pocket, fun moment to it. Musically, aesthetically, it was one of the songs that made my neck pop every time I would listen to it. I wanted to start the era with something that brought me so much joy.

In the music video, I'm on a horse. Then, people's flip phones blow up, and I leave the party. Eventually, I turned into a phoenix. The party represents my old life — I left to come to Los Angeles. Running into the streets and turning into a phoenix is the journey of healing and growth.

Stylistically, the music video for "Brighter" is very similar to your other single, "Baby I Can't Give You Up." Is there a connection between those two songs? Are the women in those music videos the same character?

"Baby I Can't Give You Up" is a love story, but it changed for me.

Listen, you can hear the songs and interpret them any way you want. That's what it's for. But in a music video, you see what it meant to me at that moment. Yes, it did start as a love song, but then it became a love letter to my family and friends.

I'm walking around London, which is where I was born. I'm half English, and a lot of my family lives there. I'm reminiscing through the hard times and who was there for me. Who poured me with so much love. At the end, there's a beautiful montage of my father, who passed away last year. Then, I hop on the train to my next journey.

You could say it's the same character, but she represents all the different points in my life.

Though this album is described as neo-soul and R&B, I hear influences of jazz, country, and more. How did you develop this unique fusion of genres?

I listen to so many different types of music. If you look at my saved songs on Spotify, it's Beyoncé , Solange , Radiohead , Enya , Stevie Wonder, and Prince. It's never-ending.

How I write my music… I don't really come up with a melody or lyrics first. I like to start from the beginning and be there throughout the whole process. So, I listen to the sound first, whatever it is that starts — a piano line, bassline, trumpets, or guitar. We come up with that, then the music. And that could be anything. Maybe, a chord strikes me. Like, Oh my god, I love that. Stay there.

I remember when I was 10, listening to Voodoo on my Walkman while I rode the school bus. People would be like, "What are you listening to?" It's D'Angelo. No one knew who that was because we were so young. I've always taken a different path when it comes to music. Again, it goes back to me trying to find my sound and what I like. That's really important to me. 

I have so much respect for music and musicians. That's why Prince is one of my favorite artists because he might be listed under R&B or pop, but we know he's more than that. He's his own genre. That's how I looked at this album — we didn't have to fit into any box. 

That was the beautiful thing about that writing camp was because we were like, "Whatever comes out, just let it come out." If I like it, I like it. If I don't, I don't, and we can move on or try to work with it. But I'm not trying to put anyone into a box. It's one of my favorite ways to write. I don't know how I'll go back to a regular day of writing in the studio. 

I recommend [any artist] to go somewhere, get up early in the morning, and write until like 2 or 3 a.m. Then, you do it again. It was so fulfilling to go back and forth between those two rooms. You're just leaning on each other. That journey to getting to where it is now was awesome.

How does 10-year-old Jasmine discover D'Angelo?

My parents! My mom is a jazz singer. My dad was a jazz aficionado. I grew up around a lot of musicians in my life. I was in theater because my dad was an actor, and I would go to my mom's gigs. I found out a lot through my parents. 

I also always listened to the radio. So, I would still know what's going on as a kid, but my mom had the dopest music setup in her house. She had shells and shells of records, cassette tapes, and CDs. And she had a piano with these speakers from the '80s that were amazing . She had headphones you could plug into them, so I would come home every day, do my homework, and sit in that corner for hours, going through her collection.

I went to performing arts school starting in middle school. I remember trying to figure out what to use as my audition song, and I found Stevie's Innervisions . At 11, I decided that "Living for the City" would be my audition song. I used that in middle school, at LaGuardia High School for vocal, and for the Berklee College of Music. And I got into all of them. All of that happened because I just saw and discovered on my own, which I thought was really cool.

In middle school, I sang Ella Fitzgerald 's scat song, "Rockin' in Rhythm," and I remember the music teacher being like, "Wait, what? Where did you learn this?" I've always been an oddball, or whatever you want to call it. I just had a love for great music. So, when it comes to my music, I want to put out everything I've been influenced by. That's why some of the songs go on longer than usual. They'll have these amazing transitions, kind of like Earth, Wind & Fire or Prince, and that brings me joy.

You've experimented with so many different lanes, from musical theater to opera. But did you always want to try songwriting?

I didn't consider myself a songwriter for a long time because I didn't do it. As a teenager, I met with a couple of producers, and they'd always ask, "Who do you want to sound like?" It was more their project, so they wanted me to sound a certain way. Because of that, it didn't speak to me.

It wasn't until I was with Samora [that I had the freedom to express my ideas]. We wrote this song "Wild Thing" that is on my EP, Blue Bird . If I'm trying to fit somebody else's box, I'm not going to be able to write. But Samora taught me that I do have melodies and ideas for basslines — and I do have a lot to say.

Did that level of trust also introduce you to producing?

One of my favorite things to do after I finish the melodies and songwriting is sit with the producer. We go through everything. 

"Cali" started with my idea for a bassline and a horn section. So, I sat with my producer and gave them ideas and my input. If I can be there. I want to see it all through.

Does your vocal performance differ when you're auditioning and acting as a character versus your original music?

In musical theater, you're always playing a character. Whoever that character is, you're embodying that and decide what sound comes out of your mouth. On top of that, you're projecting and using your diaphragm differently because a packed theater of 1,300 people has to hear you.

When I sing my music, I get to be more vulnerable. I'm not embodying anyone but myself, so I get to experiment. In a lot of those songs, I go into the stratosphere with my head voice because in high school, I was training to be a coloratura soprano opera singer and learned how to sing crazy high in the clouds, like in my song "Cali."

It's fun to record and explore the different parts of my voice that I wouldn't normally use in a musical theater setting. All the different tones, tambours, and colors in my voice. I get to decide what I can do.

Is there a track on Phoenix that's particularly special to you?

There's an interlude called "Phoenix," and my dad is on it. Before he passed, I randomly asked, "Hey, could you send me a voicemail of what 'phoenix' means to you?" He sent me a three-minute voicemail, and we chopped it up into an interlude. He got to be a part of it, which is so beautiful.

Kate Hudson Is A Singer Now — And She Doesn't Care What You Think

Photo: Sal Idriss/Redferns

8 Ways Aaliyah Empowered A Generation Of Female R&B Stars

More than 20 years after her untimely death and 30 since her debut album, 'Age Ain't Nothing But a Number,' Aaliyah's legacy lives on through female R&B artists of generations new and old. Dig into her impact, from her fearlessness to her fashion sense.

With worldwide sales of 32 million , five GRAMMY nominations, and more than a dozen Hot 100 hits to her name, Aaliyah achieved more in her tragically cut-short 22 years than most would several lifetimes over. And more than two decades after her untimely death, the female R&B scene is still very much indebted to her pioneering talents.

In the last few years alone, she's been namechecked by Beyoncé , sampled by SZA and Normani , and covered by Mariah the Scientist and Sinead Harnett. And that's only on a sonic level. Ella Mai and Mahalia also recreated her signature tomboyish look in their video for "What You Did," as did Jhené Aiko on " P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)." Justine Skye and Sevyn Streeter are just a few of the names who paid their respects in 2023 ABC tribute Superstar . And going further back, Aaliyah has also been cited as a major source of inspiration by Ciara , Tinashe , Nelly Furtado , and Rihanna , while Katy B and Jessie Ware even named their "Jolene"-esque duet after their musical icon.

And thanks to Aaliyah's innovative second and third studio efforts, 1996's One In A Million and 2001's Aaliyah , finally escaping from licensing limbo in 2021, those growing up in the streaming age are now discovering her supremely sultry voice, masterly interpretative skills, and array of forward-thinking hits, too. In the last three years, the likes of "Try Again" and "Are You That Somebody" have racked up more than 140 ad 170 million streams , respectively, on Spotify alone.

But why exactly does the singer nicknamed Baby Girl still have such a hold on contemporary artists, several of whom were barely out of diapers when she was busy tearing up the R&B rulebook? To coincide with the 30th anniversary of Aaliyah's debut album, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number , here's a look at how the " street but sweet " star built up such an inspirational legacy.

She Knew How To Use Her Voice 

Aaliyah arrived at a time when powerhouses Mariah Carey , Celine Dion and Whitney Houston were the dominant female singers. But the New Yorker quickly proved that lung-busting multiple octaves isn't the only way to vocally impress.

Aaliyah was still capable of such acrobatics. According to producer Daryl Simmons , she would often rely on opera runs before recording to warm up her voice; Diane Warren , who worked with the star on ballad "The One I Gave My Heart To," has spoken of how she was taken aback by her versatility. But Aaliyah's signature delivery was very much "less is more." You can hear her sensual, featherlight tones in the likes of Kelela, Rochelle Jordan, and The Internet 's Syd , the latter of whom has specifically hailed Aaliyah as a formative influence on her own cooler-than-cool style.

She Retained An Air Of Mystery 

Aaliyah's less-is-more approach also applied to her public profile. Perhaps due to the controversy surrounding her relationship with debut album producer R. Kelly , the singer largely preferred to let her music do the talking.

Even when she did speak to the press, she kept her cards close to her chest. And she avoided giving the more salacious outlets any further ammunition by growing up away from the spotlight. If they were looking for celebrity beefs, love triangles or stumbling out of nightclubs, they had to look elsewhere.

In the social media era where oversharing is the norm, Aaliyah's desire to keep her private life entirely private now seems both admirable and practically impossible. But there are still several artists who've recognized there's a power in retaining a sense of mystery. Just look at Sault, the enigmatic collective said to be fronted by the Aaliyah-esque Cleo Sol, who've released 11 albums and even performed live without officially revealing their true identities.

She Was A Triple Threat 

Triple threats are par for the course these days. From Beyoncé and Rihanna to Brandy and Nicki Minaj , almost every female R&B star now seems determined to show they can pull off singing, dancing and acting — and, in the case of Jennifer Lopez 's recent passion project, all at the same time. But Aaliyah was one of the first to showcase such impressive versatility.

In 2000 thriller Romeo Must Die , she stole the show from Jet Li as the daughter of a crime lord who refuses to get drawn into his dangerous underworld. And thanks to an inventive blend of wirework and futuristic choreography, she was equally spellbinding in the video for tie-in single "Try Again." 

Meanwhile, her slithery performance as the titular bloodsucker was by far the standout in 2001 horror Queen of the Damned . Having landed key roles in The Matrix Reloaded and Sparkle shortly before her untimely death, Aaliyah's movie career would undoubtedly have ascended to the same lofty heights as her musical.

She Wasn't Afraid To Take Control 

Don't be fooled by Aaliyah's softly spoken vocals and coy demeanor. The star was never afraid to tell it like it is. Just ask A&R executive Jeff Sledge, who guided her early days with Jive Records. "She was shy but when she would speak, you could tell she was a real artist," he told The Guardian in 2021. "She had her ideas of what she wanted to do and say — she wasn't a puppet."

Although her talents lay as a performer/interpreter rather than a songwriter/producer, Aaliyah continued to exert creative control throughout her discography. While promoting sophomore One In A Million , she told MTV, "I was very confident in my convictions and what I wanted this time around." 

It's a mindset reflected across her lyrical themes, too. On "If Your Girl Only Knew," she hits back at a player whose attention she's unwillingly caught, while on "Are You That Somebody," she insists on keeping her new beau a secret until he proves his worth.

She Helped Launch Missy Elliott's Career 

Although Missy Elliott had started to make waves in the music industry — firstly in short-lived girlband Sista, and then as writer/producer for Jodeci and Aaron Hall — it was her partnership with Timbaland and Aaliyah on 1996's One In A Million where she truly established herself as an R&B game-changer. Elliott co-penned nine tracks, including the singles "Hot Like Fire," "4 Page Letter" and "If Your Girl Only Knew," her sensual melodic hooks the perfect foil for Timbaland's innovative beats.

By the time their crowning glory, "Are You That Somebody," dropped in 1998, Elliott had become a star in her own right: maintaining the synergy, her debut album, 1997's Supa Dupa Fly , also boasted a guest appearance from Aaliyah. But as Elliott told Entertainment Weekly in a tribute to Aaliyah after her passing, their connection went far beyond the studio: "It was more of a family vibe than just work. We could tell each other anything." Over the next few years, both established (Whitney, Mariah) and emerging (702, Tweet) female talent would follow Aaliyah's lead by utilizing Elliott's production skills.

She Gave The Youth A Voice 

From SWV and En Vogue to Brownstone and Jade, the mid-'90s R&B scene was dominated by ladies well into adulthood. Aaliyah, however, was just 15 when debut Age Ain't Nothing But A Number hit the shelves. Subsequently, a generation of young girls immediately latched on to who they saw as a kindred spirit.

Although Aaliyah always sounded more mature than her years, her debut often reads like a schoolgirl's diary entry. (She even opens the title track by noting one: "May 5, 1993/ Aaliyah's diary/ Got it," goes the often-omitted intro.) Songs about crushes, hanging out with her friends, and partying on the weekend certainly reflected the teenage experience with authenticity (Aaliyah was still attending Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts).

What's more, "Young Nation" essentially finds her spearheading a new youth movement, "keeping it smooth with a jazz attitude.""There were so many messages in her songs that guided me and became the soundtrack to my childhood," British singer Kara Marni told The Guardian , proving that Aaliyah's generational influence extended far beyond her homeland.

She Had A Timeless Sense Of Style 

"There doesn't seem to be a current streetwear trend that Aaliyah didn't sport first," Vogue 's fashion editor Janelle Okwodu recently claimed, no doubt referring to everything from bandanas and baggy jeans to sports jerseys and ski hats. From the moment she first graced MTV in overalls, a tracksuit and the chunkiest of leather vests in "Back & Forth," the New Yorker made it crystal clear she wasn't interested in appealing solely to the male gaze.

Aaliyah could dress up for the occasion; see the Roberto Cavalli ballgown she wore to the 2000 VMAs. But her sense of style always leaned more toward the casual and tomboyish end of the spectrum, empowering the next generation of R&B performers to wear exactly what they wanted. British singer Nao was one such follower of her fashion : "There was a part of Aaliyah that made me feel comfortable in rolling out in my denim trousers or in an oversized jumper and knowing that my music can be enough."

She Proved Female R&B Could Think Outside The Box 

TLC' s "No Scrubs," Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On," Amerie 's "1 Thing." Think of the most innovative R&B singles of the pre-streaming era and it's likely a female act is responsible. And thanks to a sonic palette that still sounds like it's been sent from the future, Aaliyah undeniably paved the way.

Age Ain't Nothing But A Number first established her innovative ways, her mellifluous vocals gliding across Timbaland's progressive beats and bank of avant-garde sound effects. But it was 2001's eponymous LP that truly pushed the genre into various weird and wonderful directions, from the snake-charming classical sample on "We Need A Resolution," to the warped Nine Inch Nails -esque guitars on "What If," to the squelchy sci-fi funk of "Try Again." 

Even when she went classic, as on gorgeous slow jam, "I Care 4 U," she practically invented alternative R&B. Musical boundaries might now be a thing of the past, but in the early '00s, Aaliyah was one of the few breaking them down.

​​10 Ways TLC Shaped The Future Of R&B

• 1 9 Lively Sets From The 2024 Roots Picnic: Jill Scott, Lil Wayne, Nas, Sexyy Red, & More
• 2 Tanner Adell's Big Year: The Country Newcomer Talks Stagecoach, "BLACKBIIRD," & Meeting Her Childhood Idols
• 3 Get Ready For CMA Fest 2024: Listen To A Playlist By Dasha, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, Avery Anna, & Dalton Dover
• 4 Jasmine Cephas Jones' Lifelong Journey To 'Phoenix': "It's The Album I've Always Wanted To Make"
• 5 8 Ways Aaliyah Empowered A Generation Of Female R&B Stars

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A.D. Amorosi

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Nas Brings 212 to the 215 Unlike recent gigs where he’s been accompanied by large bands, Queensbridge’s master Nas came to Philly with a powerhouse drummer and DJ and rocked a lean, mean, rolling percussive set of his classics such as “Made You Look” and “N.Y. State of Mind,” along with totemic tracks from James Brown (“Popcorn”) and Marvin Gaye (“I Want You”). For additional NYC flavor, Nas welcomed Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah to his stage with a fiery duet on Raekwon’s “Verbal Intercourse” before Ghost took the mic for himself to re-appropriate the Wu-Tang classic “C.R.E.A.M.”

Marsha Ambrosius Thrills the Picnic Early Jilly from Philly may have been Saturday night’s big R&B draw, but early afternoon visitors were graced with the tough and tender soul of songwriter-vocalist Marsha Ambrosius. The Liverpool-to-Philadelphia-to-Los Angeles transplant first known to U.S. audiences as a member of Floetry and her sultry, debut solo album “Late Nights & Early Mornings” has spent the last five years working with Dr. Dre on a joint album, “Casablanco,” finally for release this year, on June 28.  If the deeply emotional “The Greatest,” performed during her Picnic slot, is any indication of what’s to come, her Dre album will be worth the wait — and as bold as her decision to wear an all-leather outfit on stage in 85-degree Philly humidity. Shaboozey Shows Off His Country Rap and Crooning Chops Hot on the heels of Friday’s release of his new album, “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” rising singer-songwriter-rapper Shaboozey and his DJ came out the strains of Ennio Morricone’s “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly” theme. He wowed the crowd with his deep, rich vocals, getting a big response to his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — and placing pedal steel guitar next to thick beats is next level in any context.

BackYard Band Brings Out Amerie and Scarface Washington DC’s young, dozen-strong go-go ensemble BackYard Band, brought their intricate instrumental skills to the small stage on Sunday with two radically different voices before them – the sweet of Amerie and the sour of Scarface. Amerie delivered a too-brief interlude before former Geto Boy Scarface unleashed his throaty Houston drawl. His version of “I Seen a Man Die” and its haunting refrain of “I never understood why I could never see a man cry ’til I seen a man die” brought a hush over the crowd in this continued time of violence.

      André 3000 and his New Blue Sun Ensemble Subtly Stun the Roots Picnic Since the release of 2023’s meditative instrumental album, “New Blue Sun,” and its debut live shows earlier this year, Outkast-rapper-turned-flautist Andre 3000 and his ensemble have grown more confident and daring in their execution of supple and calm free jazz touched with layers of electronics, percussion, bid calls and washes of guitar synth. The group improvised for an hour — which seemed like one long song — before Andre shocked the crowd with a chattering, word-less rap and a howling bark only to laugh and say “Philadelphia – just letting you know I made that shit up… We’re just pulling shit out of the sky. We don’t know what we’re going to play next.”

Lil Wayne, Trombone Shorty and Babyface Close Out the Weekend The Picnic’s closing set was a dedication to New Orleans, with the Roots backing Trombone Shorty, singer/ keyboardist PJ Morton, R&B crooner Lloyd and a surprisingly soulful Lil Wayne. Weezy took his time, dabbing on what seemed like two dozen or more of his most deeply grooving tracks with Questlove bumping drums behind him. But Babyface closed out the weekend with typical suavete: The over-50s in the crowd swooned to his elastic crooning on “Soon as I Get Home” and “For the Cool in You,” but he brought the house down with hits he’d written for other artists, such as the Whispers (“Two Occasions,” “Rock Steady”), Bobby Brown (“Don’t Be Cruel,” “Every Little Step”) and the Philly-favored Boyz II Men cover “End of the Road.”

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