Rapper 21 Savage has been announced by the Student Activities Council (SAC) as the headliner for the "Bluff City Bash," which will be held Friday, Nov. 10.
Eleven performers competed at "Undiscovered Tigers" Monday night by singing, rapping and dancing for a chance to open at the "Bash," before Savage was announced as the headliner. Last year, T.I. and K Camp performed in October for the concert.Â
The University of Memphis’ chapter of Phi Beta Sigma hosted this initial "Undiscovered" talent showcase.Â
“I think that the University of Memphis has some really talented students,†Regina Hayes, president of the Student Activities Council, said. “We want to give our students a platform to showcase their talent in front of our students, any guests and the artists as well.â€
Dancer Jeremiah Jones won the contest with “Formation†and will now open at the "Bluff City Bash," the U of M’s annual concert series.
“I most certainly am pleased to have the honor,†Jones said. “I feel like it presents me with an opportunity for networking and things of that nature.â€
Dancer Jeremiah Jones placed first in the contest with “Formation” and will be the opener at the Bluff City Bash on Friday Nov. 10.
As the only dancer among rappers and singers Monday night, Jones represented his art alone and said it took “courage†to pull off.
“It most certainly took some courage, but I felt like I did the best I could do,†Jones said.
Jones was selected as the winner of the competition by three judges, including U of M graduates and Highlanders Media Group co-founders Adrian Ford and James Greene. One randomly selected member of the crowd was chosen as a judge and helped determine the victor.
Singer Sheilyn Rodriguez performs her original song “Just Know.” The Massachusetts native just moved to Memphis for school this year.
After Jones, singer/rapper Thomas “Lil Tommy†Smith placed second with his performance of songs titled “Addicted†and “Headboard.†Rapper Dylan “Flashy†Thomas placed third with his performances of songs titled “Flashy†and “Flight.†Â
Other performances included covers like “Love on the Brain†sung by Oshey Hardy at the event and “I’m Not the Only One†sung by Justin Penn. Many artists performed original music such as Precious Okoro’s “Delirious†and Sheilyn Rodriguez’s “Just Know.â€
The third annual "Bluff City Bash" will be on the U of M main campus and will feature Jones as the opener. SAC will organize this event and invite all students and guests to come.
Singer and guitarist Precious Okoro plays a song titled “Delirious.” Okoro was the only performer to not use an instrumental backing track at the event.
According to music business major Dillon Brown, establishing connections like the ones found at events like “Undiscovered Tigers†is essential for musicians and performing artists.
“In an industry this large, no one had time for someone that they have never heard of,†Brown said. “Making a connection is the reason someone is going to email you back, share your music or buy your album. It’s not about the money anymore; it’s about the connection.â€
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