The Roots, John Legend, Common and D-Nice are all expected to perform at Barack Obama’s 60th birthday bash in Martha’s Vineyard, a source exclusively tells Page Six.
Another source said that the guest list will include Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan and George Clooney. Reports have also said that director Steven Spielberg is expected.
All the performers we’ve exclusively heard will play the bash have ties to former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama. The Roots previously have teamed with the former First Lady’s When We All Vote organization on their Roots Picnic event. Crooner Legend executive produced a film about the Obamas’ first date, “Southside With You,” and Common appeared at the White House’s “An Evening of Poetry.” DJ D-Nice and Michelle Obama co-hosted an Instagram Live party to push voter registration.
There were previously reports that grunge rockers Pearl Jam would play the bash, but that was shot down by an Obama spokesperson. A rep for Obama did not immediately comment on the buzz about the latest musical acts.
The former president is reportedly trying to get nearly 700 people to the exclusive island for his big party, with 475 expected guests and about 200 hired hands. Locals are bristling at the logistical nightmare of bringing so many outsiders to the island at the same time as a national surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant and new restrictions.
A source told Page Six of the scene: “There’s a shortage of staff on the Vineyard, so everyone and anyone — even people who aren’t in the staffing business — is working.”
Another Vineyard local observed of the airport already, “There were way more private jets than usual — especially for a Monday. It’s pretty nuts.”
Some locals have raised eyebrows over the size of the event during the ongoing pandemic. The small island previously had an alleged super spreader event last November caused by a fancy wedding that was written up by Vogue and later deleted.
One guest who’s unable to attend is President Biden, the White House has said. An official told The Hill, “While President Biden is unable to attend this weekend, he looks forward to catching up with former President Obama soon and properly welcoming him into the over-60 club.”
One catering staffer previously told The Post of Obama’s plans, “His birthday party is insane… His bash is a nightmare to pull off this time of year on the tiny island — especially due to the lack of labor because of the coronavirus. What is he thinking?”
Another source told The Post that Obama has hired a doctor to serve as “COVID coordinator,” and that attendees will have to submit negative test results for the largely outdoors gathering.
Obama turns 60 on Wednesday. Though his party doesn’t break any rules, big gatherings such as the former politician’s do not follow general guidelines pushed by the Biden administration.