News

Homecoming concert almost does not happen

by Future' Brown

Prairie View A&M University’s 2012 Homecoming ended on a high note with a concert that almost did not happen.
 With an hour and a half separating double headliners Melanie Fiona and 2Chainz, DJ Wall worked to keep the William “Billy” J. Nicks Babydome packed while the audience anxiously waited for 2Chainz to arrive.
 “POLICE escort or CHASE im not sure at this POINT!!! I jus know we turntUP!!!” 2Chainz tweeted.
 It was almost midnight. The concert was set to begin at 8 p.m.
 The office of student engagement received a phone call from his booking manager Friday night saying there was a possibility 2Chainz would not make it to Prairie View Saturday.
 According to the assistant director of the office of student engagement Orok Orok, the Homecoming Committee was notified Saturday morning that 2Chainz second daughter was born at 12:30 a.m.
 After realizing he would not make it to Prairie View, 2Chainz called in a favor to good friend and Atlanta rapper T.I.
 T.I. agreed to do the show.
 “It was a real unique situation,” Orok said. “He wanted to be there for his child, and we, in the office of student engagement, totally understood that.”
 With a window of opportunity to make a flight to Texas and perform, he was still booked to perform in Washington, D.C. at a Howard University after party at Club Fur.
 The new concert second headliner was announced just after halftime during Prairie View’s football game against Alcorn State University.
 Now, according to Orok, it was up to the Prairie View Homecoming Committee to work out the logistics for T.I.’s already tight schedule.
 It could not be done.
 “Our promoter has a really good relationship with 2Chainz’s manager and he struck a deal with him,” said Orok. “We had to get him a flight fast, get him here fast, get him to perform fast, get him a flight out fast, and get him home fast.”
 Orok said the eruption from the crowd made all of the commotion worth it.
 “Concerts always go ebb and flow with their times,” said Orok. “We were expected to be gone by 11:30-12 so we went over time by about an hour and a half.”
 Even after all of the confusion, only two people asked for ticket refunds.
 “I really feel like people enjoyed themselves despite the wait,” Orok said. “The doors opened hours late, but we still had a packed house. Homecoming was still a success.”