This weekend is all about art, music, and culture in Philly. For the fourth year in a row, multidisciplinary artist Al-Baseer Holly is curating an art exhibition back in his hometown at The Roots Picnic.
Titled Back to My Roots, the 2025 edition is a celebration of Black and Brown identity, culture, and storytelling through the eyes of ten dynamic visual artists. Taking place May 31–June 1 at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the exhibition lives in the VIP GOLD section of the festival, providing an immersive art experience for attendees.
Holly, known for his evolution from recording artist to self-taught painter, sees this year’s show as a response to the cultural and political shifts happening across the country.
“With the current political climate, I wanted to take a strong stance on the issues we face today but highlight the accomplishments we’ve made in America as Black and Brown people,” Holly shared in a press release. “Each artist has their own unique way of highlighting our community.”
And what a lineup it is. The exhibition features celebrated artists including Kevin “Wak” Williams, Cristina Martinez, Nelson Makamo, Shanina Dionna, Julian Gaines, Calvin Clausell Jr, Mia Lee, Chuck Styles, Symonne Larison Jones, Alim Smith, and photographer Ricky Shoebio.
These artists bring diverse mediums and rich perspectives from vivid oil paintings and layered collages to powerful photography and portraiture.
We caught up with Al-Baseer to talk about his journey, the message behind Back to My Roots, and why this exhibition is as personal as it is political.
From recording artist to acclaimed visual artist and now curator, what inspired that transition, and how does your music background still show up in your art today?
The transition was easy because I’ve always made art. Since I was eight years old (when I decided I wanted to be a rapper), art was still always right there as well, cause my father could draw. One way my music background shows up in my art today is how I start my pieces; I would start concepting pieces by creating a title first, like I did in music.
How has being from Philadelphia inspired your artistry?
My childhood is the basis of most my work, so naturally, a lot of my work is set in or inspired by Philly. As the years have gone on, I’m more compelled to paint Philly street scenes with my collage being in the forefront.
Why the title “Back to My Roots”? What can fans expect to see?
It’s a double entendre, which is also a music thing for me. Returning for my fourth year to The Roots Picnic and being from Philly is taking it back to my roots. But also the subject matter for the pieces is about returning or revisiting things that happen at early points in our culture, and as Black people, showing the perseverance.
This is your fourth year curating for the Roots Picnic. How has your vision evolved since the first exhibition?
Honestly, I think each year has been exactly what it was supposed to be. The exhibitions have had a natural evolution that is represented through the number and type of artists involved. It’s more than a personal evolution for myself and more about how many artists I’ve been able to work with each year.
How can we get more young people involved in the arts?
Each year of the exhibition is exactly that, an attempt to get more young people that look like us into the art world and understand its importance.
You’ve brought together a powerful lineup of artists. What was your process for curating this group?
I feel very blessed and honored to have this lineup this year. My process is about great artistry, of course, but also high-quality human beings to bring together to have a shared experience that’s next level from a connectivity standpoint.,
You’ve said this exhibition is a response to the political climate. Can you speak more about the social issues that influenced your curatorial decisions this year?
With DEI and all these other things disappearing, I wanted to make sure I have something on record for the culture that can’t be erased in a setting where we are already celebrating our culture through music.
What advice would you give to young Black artists who want to follow in your footsteps?
Never give up, never bend your message to fit it spaces and always be your authentic self. There will for sure be bumps in the road with that mindset, but when it’s looked back on, you’ll be proud and also will recognize yourself.
What’s next for you? Are there new cities, themes, or collaborations on the horizon?
I plan on doing more solo shows, shows with my partner Cristina Martinez, and continuing to curate multi-artist exhibitions.
Purchase tickets for the Gold VIP Experience at this year’s Roots Picnic here.
