Tank reveals his custon made Grambling jersey at the end of his performance. DE’ANTHONY TAYLOR/ The Gramblinite
Grambling State University had a massive turn out at its homecoming concert last Friday evening as guests poured into the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center to watch performances from R&B heavyweights Keith Sweat, Jazmine Sullivan, Tank and Teyana Taylor.
The concert was originally intended to begin at 7 p.m., but due to a few delays, students, alumni and visiting fans were not able to enter the building until after 8 pm. However, that did not stop the party from getting started as Comedian Steve Brown launched off the event with the help of GoDJ Twins and alumni DJ PJSkillz. K’Ron, Ayanis and RecoHavoc were all openers for the show, setting the tone for what was to come and warming up the mixed audience. Each artist was also a member of the Atlantic Records Access Granted: HBCU Tour, performing songs like Flexxx, F.I.Y.T and No BFs.
After a small interlude session, Steve Brown welcomed Jazmine Sullivan, who came out to her single “Dumb,” from her last album Reality Show. The Philly native introduced herself before going into her set, which consisted of songs such as “Bust The Windows”, “Lions, Tigers, & Bears”, “Insecure”, “Forever Don’t Last”, “Holding You Down (Circles)” and “Let It Burn”. The songstress even took it as far as calling three GSU students on stage with her to sing “I’m Going Down” by Mary J. Blige.
R&B superstar Tank followed behind with energy, performing his songs “Celebration”, “F***** Wit Me”, “When We”, “Please Don’t Go” and “Maybe I Deserve”. Toward the end of his performance, Tank surprised the crowd when he put on a customized Grambling State University basketball jersey and the audience cheered gleefully.
Earlier in the show, Steve Brown announced that he would be giving away scholarships to two lucky GSU seniors. Once Tank exited the stage, Brown presented his awards to John Stanley and Kaelin Woodard.
There was another intermission before the introduction of Teyana Taylor, who graced the stage along with her dancers and DJ. The triple threat artist performed songs like “No Manners”, “Put Your Love On”, “Dreams”, “Do Not Disturb”, “Rose From Harlem”, “Gonna Love Me” and “WTP”.
For the last act of the night, R&B legend Keith Sweat arrived for the pleasure of the alumni, performing songs such as “Make It Last Forever”, “Nobody” and “Twisted”.
Although the concert ended pretty late, students were satisfied with the lineup and they were glad to be in the presence of musical powerhouses.
“In my opinion, this was the best concert since I’ve attended Grambling. I hope every concert after this will be just as good or even better,” Jrue Goldman, a sophomore majoring in political science. said.
Summer Robinson, a visiting college student from Shreveport, said the homecoming concert was the first she had ever attended and that she enjoyed herself.
“I have never attended an historical black college or university, but after experiencing this concert, I regret my decision,” Robinson said. “I have hopes to come back in the spring if Grambling has a concert just as memorable as this one.”