A sold-out Roots Picnic in North Philadelphia will feature a remarkable young talent this year: 13-year-old rapper Zayvion Hamiel, known as Zay Money. He will share the stage with the CAPA choir on Sunday , promoting anti-violence and pro-positivity in his music.

The $30 million toe in the water

The annual Roots Picnic, a major cultural event, has returned with another sold-out weekend, moved to a new location at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park.. The festival promises to draw thousands of attendees, with Zayvion's performance marking a significant milestone for the young artist.

He recalls sending a direct message to the Roots Picnic expressing his desire to perform, only to be met with silence at the time. Now, two years later, his persistence has paid off, and he is preparing for his 15-minute set where he plans to showcase five original songs.

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

His music , which he describes succinctly as 'all positive,' is crafted with a clear mission: to provide an alternative narrative for youth who might otherwise be influenced by the pervasive themes of violence and drug use in some contemporary music.

Because there's a lot of kids out here dying from gun violence, and they're listening to music and the music is telling them, well, I won't say all but some music, oh we're killing, we're doing all this. No. They have to listen to good positive music so they can make it in life,' Zayvion explained, highlighting his commitment to being a constructive force.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

Zayvion's family, who also manage him, and a dedicated producer named Zukhan, who helped connect him with the CAPA choir, have been instrumental in his journey to this stage. He is grappling with the excitement and nerves of performing in front of a massive crowd, practicing not only his delivery but also planning five outfit changes to keep the visually engaging show fresh.

His story is a testament to the power of ambition, family support, and the belief that positive art can carve a meaningful space even within large-scale, celebrated events like the Roots Picnic.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

Ultimately, Zayvion sees this performance as an opportunity to introduce himself and his values to a broader public. 'I just want people to know who I am and what I really stand for,' he stated, underscoring that his presence at the Roots Picnic is about more than just entertainment-it's about representation and using his platform to uplift his peers.

The response he has received so far has been overwhelmingly supportive. 'Oh, they love me. They be like, Oh my God, he is so handsome,' he laughed, sharing the playful feedback from his growing audience.

Open questions

As Zayvion takes the stage, one question remains: what impact will his positive message have on the thousands of attendees at the Roots Picnic? Will his music inspire a new generaton of young artists to create uplifting content? Only time will tell.