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ICE CUBE: Scenes from the Mural Art Program's Wall Ball
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ICE CUBE: Scenes from the Mural Art Program’s Wall Ball
When Michael Nutter introduced the appearance of The Roots as the subjects and guests of honor at this year’s Mural Art Program’s Wall Ball at North Broad Street’s Vie on Thursday night, the rapping brought up getting a new rap bag.
“I’m learning the lyrics to “The Fire,” said the Mayor, renowned (or is it notorious?) for his repeated variations upon a theme, namely Grandmaster Flash. At least Nutter has moved into the 21st Century.
That’s how The Roots weekend officially began — with a room full of moneyed sponsorship sorts and mural artisans all noshing on Mark Vetri’s nibbles (those deviled eggs were dope) from Vie’s neighboring Alla Spinna with Bluecoat Gin specialty cocktails and guest appearances from Senator Vincent Hughes, filmmaker Sam Katz, Mural Arts’ subject Jerry Blavat and several other dance-it-up DJs like Brendan Bring’Em and Lee Jones.
“No one throws a party like Jane Golden,” said Nutter about the Mural Arts executive director. “Philadelphia has the most murals in the entire universe and she’s constantly hunting the galaxy for even newer ideas.” Later on, Golden would jump up and down on the stage at Vie when she was joined by The Roots themselves, who jumped along with her. Yes. That. Was. Weird. Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter also mentioned that he was a long time part of the Anti-Graffiti Network, the group that later turned into the Mural Arts Program. Success stories abound.
Two days later during the two-day, fifth annual Roots Picnic at Festival Pier, the band tore it up while backing Wale, De La and surprise guest Mos “Yasiin Bay” Def, the latter who thrilled backstage village dwellers with his good mood. Man, I nearly got hit in the head with a basketball when Def ran into me and excused himself. This wasn’t Queens 1989. Then again, The Roots did start the set by singing the Beastie Boys “Paul Revere” in tribute to the late great MCA (Adam Yauch) so there was that.
Next up for The Roots: July 4 at the Parkway with vocalists such as Daryl Hall joining them in free song as well as watching ?uestlove pack up his sister (Donn T) and his mom for the African safari he won ($7 Gs) in auction during Thursday’s Wall Ball.
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