‘Bluff City Bash’ rapper displeases some in attendance

Attendees packed the University Center lawn, which was converted into an amphitheater, to see the rap artist perform.

According to an advertisement for the concert by the Student Activities Council, the music was set to start around 6 p.m., and tickets would stop being sold around 7:30 p.m. Though DJs and student dancers entertained the crowd on time, the headliner did not make an appearance until 9 p.m. and only performed for about half an hour after the crowd waited for Savage in 45-degree weather.

“I feel like it was okay, but he could have went longer with the songs,†DaJah’ Messenger, sophomore pre-nursing major, said. “They could have got a spot in the building because it’s cold outside.â€

The “Undiscovered Tigers†showcase winner, Jeremiah Jones, opened for 21 Savage, joined by surprise guest and second place winner Thomas “Lil Tommy†Smith. Jones danced for several songs before Lil Tommy joined him on stage and performed his songs “Addicted†and “Headboard.â€

However, some students said the event was less-than-enjoyable. Daniel Smith, computer-engineering sophomore, said he was dissatisfied with 21 Savage’s late arrival and short set.  

“Most of the time it was the DJs at the beginning for about two hours,†Smith said. “Then 21 Savage came on for about 25 minutes and left. I was kind of disappointed to be honest.â€

Attendees closer to the stage complained that they were pushed against the railing. The DJs stopped the music, saying “they [the people at the front] can’t breathe,†and announced they would not continue until the crowd moved back. Criminal justice sophomore Kelsey Cannon said she experienced this most of the night.

“People could have scooted back some,†Cannon said. “They should have had more regulations about how people were standing up there.â€

A few concertgoers brought prohibited substances like tobacco products and marijuana. Cannon was irritated with the smell.

“People were smoking weed out there, so that was annoying,†Cannon said.

“The cigarettes and all that…most people do not want to smell that,†Robyn Miller, sophomore bio-medical engineering major, said.

Rapper 21 Savage’s “Numb the Pain†tour is set to begin in Austin, Texas, Thursday night. He will make another stop in Memphis at Minglewood Hall Dec. 22.

The Daily Helmsman is working to discover more information regarding Savage's brief performance on campus.