Ending Welcome Back Week was a free concert held in the T.H. Harris Auditorium. The artists featured in the event were Dallas phenom Yung Nation and New Orleans based No Limit Records rapper Choppa.
Opening the concert were Jonesboro natives Astro Gang. The ensemble, consisting of nine members performed a few tracks from their mixtape album N.W.A. (Ni**as With Ambition) and immediately got the crowd on their feet, ready to see a show.
During an intermission of the show (which was deejayed by the GODJTwins and hosted by emcee Pskillz), members of the student body were asked to come on stage and showcase their best moves. Well known performer, current alumni of Grambling and campus favorite Daunte “Cheesy” Borner was personally invited to begin dancing. As always, the Oak Cliff, Texas native wasn’t able to have the spotlight to himself for too long, as fellow friends of his began to enter the stage, emulating dance moves such as the Mo’ Head Swagg and ever so popular South Dallas Swag.
Once the dancers exited the stage, Yung Nation came out next and began performing their hit singles ‘Pimp’ and ‘Club Rock’ from their mixtape album entitled Yung Nation University.
Not wanting to be known as artists that merely use the stage as their primary location to perform, the young duo took the opportunity to interact with their crowd, even interlocking their arms with one of their fans, while still rapping.
The 19-year-old artists gave campus media an advantage to interview them (who then began to interview staffers themselves):
Q: Although your fans know you as B. Reed and Lil Faime, what are the names you were given at birth?
Brandon Reed and Kendall Johnson.
Q: How did you two began as artists?
The two of us were both on the basketball team in high school (Duncanville HS, Dallas) and we were benchwarmers, so without being given performance time, we were able to sit back, relax (lol) and we both began freestyling.
Q: Did you feel embraced by your fans tonight?
Absolutely. We appreciate the love from Gramfam. So much, that we’d like to attend your block party…
And that they did.
Although the concert was slated for two artists to perform, Darwin Turner (better known as Choppa) was a no-show, or that’s at least what many assumed.
Before performing at the block party held in the courtyard, the artist provided some insight on why he wasn’t in attendance of the concert:
Q: Can you explain to myself and your fans why you were unable to make it on time?
Absolutely. First and foremost, I stand behind the belief that there is a higher power who is in control of all things. The vehicle that I was being transported to had mechanical errors (unbeknownst to me).
I waited at a gas station for two hours. I made contact with the university, but to no avail, I was still left stranded. I want to personally thank MCBSolo (former Gramblinite and GODJ) for assisting me and getting me here.
Q: What have you been working on?
I currently have an album entitled Bourbon Street that is to be released soon and filming a video shoot for my new song “She Bad”.
After the interview, the Southern hip hop star began performing his hit songs “Choppa Style” and “Whoa”.
During the block party, both Greeks and non-Greeks were given the chance to execute their best moves during the stroll off.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity Incorporated and brothers of United Afrikan Amerikan Men illustrated their signature moves, never disappointing the crowd.