Published on March 20th, 2022 |
by Dr. Jerry Doby
Smokin Grooves Returns to LA with Erykah Badu, Nas, The Roots and more
Smokin Grooves brought all of the vibes to Los Angeles Historic Park in Los Angeles, California yesterday for its triumphant return. The day brought together one of the most eclectic and well-curated lineups for a festival, with headlining performances from Erykah Badu, Nas, The Roots, Jhene Aiko, and Miguel, as well as incredible sets from The Internet, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Smino and many more.
Erykah Badu’s headlining set marked one of her rare festival appearances. Her performance included some of her biggest hits including “Hello”, “On and On”, “Window Seat” and many more supported by her incredible band. The show also featured incredible visual elements including her silhouette outlined in sparkles on the stage LED screens.
Nas had a hits-filled performance including “Made You Look”, “NY State of Mind” and so many more, including tracks from his most recent acclaimed albums, King’s Disease and King’s Disease 2. As light sprinkling hit the crowd, Nas came back with hit after hit after hit throughout his energetic performance.
The Roots delivered to fans with their dynamic stage presence and performance including “The Next Movement”, “Here I Come” and many more. Jhene Aiko took the stage for the first time in three years with a dreamy dazzling performance of “Tryna Smoke”, “The Worst” and more backed by harmonized bass lines. Miguel brought his signature moves and enigmatic voice to the swooning crowd for a show stopping performance with hits like “Sky Walker”, “Sure Thing”, “Vixen” and many more.
Additionally, Kamasi Washington, Flying Lotus, The Internet, Thundercat, Smino, and many of the other performers brought positive vibes and good energy to the festival grounds as fans celebrated the return of one of their favorite festivals in the city.
PHONYPPL-SMOKINGROOVES 22 Photo by VIRISA YONG
TORO Y MOI SMOKINGROOVES -Photo by VIRISA YONG
Nas
Erykah Badu -SMOKINGROOVES 22 -Photo by GREG NOIRE
Erykah Badu -SMOKINGROOVES 22 -Photo by GREG NOIRE
Erykah Badu -SMOKINGROOVES 22 -Photo by GREG NOIRE
LITTLE DRAGON -SMOKINGROOVES 22- Photo by VIRISA YONG
MIGUEL- SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by NATT LIM
LITTLE DRAGON - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by VIRISA YONG
THE ROOTS - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
FLYINGLOTUS - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
FLYINGLOTUS - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
THE ROOTS - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
Slum Village - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
Free Nationals - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
TALIB - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by QUINN TUCKER
JHENE AIKO - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
ROY AYERS - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
SMINO - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
THUNDERCAT - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 Photo by QUINN TUCKER
THUNDERCAT - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 Photo by QUINN TUCKER
THUNDERCAT - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 Photo by QUINN TUCKER
ATMOSPHERE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by VIRISA YONG
SMINO - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
SMINO - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
SiR - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
SiR - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
MUSIQ SOULCHILD - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
INDIAARIE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by NATT LIM
YUSSEF DAYES - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
CHARLOTTE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by QUINNTUCKER
DOMI AND JD BECK - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
BILAL - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by QUINN TUCKER
BILAL - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by QUINN TUCKER
GOAPELE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by VIRISA YONG
BLU AND EXILE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
BLU AND EXILE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
MACY GRAY - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by NATT LIM
ANGIE STONE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
ANGIE STONE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
RAVYN LENAE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by VIRISA YONG
LEELA JAMES - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by NATT LIM
UNUSUAL DEMONT - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by JOSH GONZALES
FOUSHEE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by NATT LIM
ATMOSPHERE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
ATMOSPHERE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
ATMOSPHERE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
ATMOSPHERE - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
JHENE AIKO - SMOKIN GROOVES 22 - Photo by GREG NOIRE
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.