DJ Jazzy Jeff, Adam Blackstone On Philly’s First-Ever New Year’s Eve Concert

“Philly, don’t call it a comeback,” LL Cool J said in a statement announcing the show. “We’ve got unfinished business. Meet me on the Oval this New Year’s Eve as we bring in 2026 — live.”

The New Year’s Eve performance follows LL Cool J’s decision not to appear at the 2025 Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July concert during the Philadelphia Sanitation District Council 33 labor strike. Both the rapper and Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan declined to perform at the time, citing solidarity with workers. LL Cool J later shared on social media that he would return once a deal was reached. He kept his promise.

“Philadelphia is thrilled to welcome everyone to our vibrant city as we celebrate New Year’s Eve and kick off the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. This free concert and fireworks showcase the incredible spirit of our community and the cultural legacy that Philadelphia embodies,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement.

“We are honored to have LL Cool J as our headliner, bringing his unmatched talent and energy to The Parkway, with special guests DJ Jazzy Jeff, Adam Blackstone and Dorothy. Join us for Philly’s first ever New Year’s Eve outdoor concert as we kick off 2026 in America’s birthplace — this is truly the place to start our celebration of this historic anniversary!”

For DJ Jazzy Jeff, the moment feels both historic and personal. “I’ve done Fourth of July shows, Made in America — but New Year’s Eve on the Art Museum steps? That’s different,” he said. “This is my hometown. Performing here always feels special.”

Jeff, who will share the stage with longtime collaborator LL Cool J, says their decades-long relationship made the show a natural fit. “We go back almost 40 years,” he said. “I was on The F.O.R.C.E. tour with The Roots when we went out, I think it was two years ago. So that was amazing.

“And listen, L and I go back. We’ve toured together, worked together — there’s a real bond there. It was a no-brainer.”

As Philadelphia prepares to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial, Jeff sees hip-hop as a fitting lens for the milestone. “Hip-hop started with meager means,” he said. “We didn’t have instruments or money, we created culture from what we had. That’s not that different from how this country started — scrappy beginnings that turned into something powerful.”

Adding another hometown voice to the night is Blackstone, whose résumé includes serving as music director for the Super Bowl, Grammys, Oscars, and artists such as Rihanna, Eminem, Justin Timberlake, and Jay-Z. A jazz and R&B artist, Blackstone is halfway to EGOT status, having earned both Grammy and Emmy wins and a Tony nomination. He initially thought he’d been tapped as a backing musician for the evening, until organizers made it clear they wanted the full “Adam Blackstone Experience.”

“That’s when I knew we were going to rock,” Blackstone said. “It’ll be cold, but we’re going to bring joy, love and inspiration to that stage.”

The “Adam Blackstone Experience” always includes Blackstone bringing his band, the BBE Sound, and some of his friends. Blackstone exclusively revealed his plans to debut new music during the performance, including a song titled “Brotherly Love,” inspired by Philadelphia and featuring Curtis Mayfield’s nephew, Cedric Mayfield.

“There’s no better place to introduce that song than Philly,” he said. “This city really lives up to its name.”

The lineup brings together a dynamic blend of hip-hop, rock, jazz and R&B, reflecting both Philadelphia’s musical legacy and the broader diversity of American music. Blackstone said the moment carries deep, personal meaning.

“As much turmoil as our country can be in, we are blessed to live where we live and to have the opportunities America affords us,” he said. “Yes, there are struggles and trials — especially for a Black man — but nowhere else in the world could I have dreamed this big or stood on stages like this. I’m thankful to represent Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, the tri-state area, as an African American.”

For DJ Jazzy Jeff, the night is about gratitude as much as celebration.

“Every time I walk on stage matters,” he said. “I’m in the make-people-happy business. Bringing people joy through music — especially at home — that’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

He also revealed some of LL Cool J’s plans for his performance. “ I think L is bringing his band.”

As fireworks light up the Parkway, Philadelphia will usher in a new year, and a historic chapter, with music, unity, a little cold and a lot of hometown pride.