
Black Thought of The Roots. Photo by Leon Laing.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has been showing Philadelphia-based rappers brotherly love lately. On May 3, Philly rapper Meek Mill joined Wolf to speak about criminal justice reform. And on Jan. 15, Wolf invited Philly’s own The Roots to headline his inaugural celebration. President Obama, who invited rappers to the White House, has also showed hip-hop love.
Before The Roots rocked the house at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, Wolf spoke on stage. First lady Frances Wolf, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Gisele Fetterman accompanied Tom Wolf.
The hip-hop group (also known as Jimmy Fallon’s house band) entertained fans with “Proceed,” “The Next Movement” and “The Seed (2.0),” to name a few of its songs. The Roots weaved other artists’ hits into its set, too. Those songs included “Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle)” by Donald Byrd and “Rock Creek Park” by The Blackbyrds. At the end of the group’s shows, the band members perform solos. During his solo, Tuba Gooding Jr. lugged his tuba off stage and played in the audience. The crowd went wild.
DJ Headrush, saxophone soloist Katie Schreckengast, gospel group The Rossums, bluegrass band Bluestone and the YWCA Temple Guard Drill Team opened up for The Roots. Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick; state Rep. Patty Kim; and Swoop, the Philadelphia Eagles’ mascot, were some of the guests in the house.
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