With anticipation high, Grambling State University students lined up in front the T.H. Harris auditorium on Monday for the free vitaminwater and FADER concert.
Doors opened at 8 p.m., and each attendee was given a free vitamin water and smart water along with a current edition of The FADER magazine.
The opening time did not stop sophomore Amber Williams, a criminal justice major from Dallas. Williams was first in line at 6 p.m. “Jhene is a good artist, but I’m a huge fan of Future, she stated. “I feel that our vote does make a difference especially now since we won the competition for a free concert.”
Grambling won the free vitamin water challenge this past summer by voting via text and online against other HBCUs. Texas Southern University will receive their concert next on Monday, September 17.
A RSVP was required online at thefader.com for the concert to reserve their spot. They also needed to be at least eighteen years of age with a validated GSU ID.
The line for the concert began at the doors of the auditorium and went as far back as Frederick Douglas dormitory.
Jhene Aiko graced the stage first with her angelic vocals. Hailing from Los Angeles she appeared on stage wearing a tiger tee shirt to show her love for GSU. Her performance included a live band which added a different element to the concert. Despite her band only playing together less than a month, they sounded as if it was years.
Drummer Brian Patterson said that GSU was the kickoff of the tour. “I’ve only been her drummer for a month, but I’ve known her forever and it’s a great chemistry,” he said.
Aiko made history at GSU, being that this was her first time performing at an HBCU. She made it clear that performing at GSU was like any other feeling. She felt as though her audience was her peers and it’s like performing for her friends.
“We’re all around the same age. Most of my audiences consist of college students and they can relate more.
“I’ve been to Louisiana a long time ago for the B2K tour when I was fourteen,” said Aiko . She also expressed that she loves the food here having ate at Scott’s seafood in Ruston Louisiana.
“FADER has been very supportive of this new project so they came to me with uncapped vitaminwater show and I said of course,” said Aiko.
While performing she nearly broke down in tears stating that she had not performed since her brother had passed from cancer. Aiko was well received by GSU leaving students and faculty with a lasting impression.
Hailing from Atlanta, the artist Future was the most projected entertainment. Coming second to the stage students moved closer making it hard for anyone to get through. With the auditorium filled with 2, 200 students it was standing room only.
Songs like, “Turn on the Lights”, “Magic” and “Racks on racks”, filled the room as students sang along with each song he executed.
“I loved the concert”, declared senior LaQuann Wimberly from Monroe. “I loved the mellow mood and future came on stage and killed it. It was everything I excepted and more.”
“It means a great deal that we won. We have to congratulate our students for competing against other HBCUs that are accredited, even this summer they were able to come out of last place to first place” expressed President Frank G. Pogue who was also in attendance at the concert.
“We encourage high academic achievement. It creates a certain spirit for corporation and involvement. We want people to have fun while they are enhancing academics. It’s a perfect balance. So we feel good about this”, expressed Pogue.
Jhene Aiko ended her night by tweeting, ” looks like it was a good night! thanks for coming out to #uncapped #grambling.”