Bill Bellamy will host Florida A&M’s Homecoming Superfest concert on Saturday in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, featuring rap artist Rick Ross.
Bellamy is an actor, comedian and creator of the phrase “booty call.” Bellamy has played roles on HBO and MTV and starred in films such as “Love Jones,” “How to be a Player” and “Any Given Sunday.”
The Rutgers graduate, who majored in economics, never imagined that he would become an entertainer. Using what he learned in college, he created a brand for himself. That brand was comedy.
“When you think about where we come from and what we’re doing, I never thought being on a college campus, I’d be an entertainer,” Bellamy said. “Next thing you know, I became this famous comedian personality guy.”
Bellamy said he is honored to be part of FAMU’s homecoming.
“FAMU is a big school and students are gonna come out full throttle,” Bellamy said. “It’s always been one of the schools I admire from afar, so I am gonna make it a lot of fun and make everybody have a good time.”
Bellamy also gave advice to students aspiring to get into the entertainment business.
“Sometimes you don’t have to know the destination,” Bellamy said. “You just need to know your journey and where you wanna be so you can start pointing your compass in that direction.”
The Superfest concert begins Saturday at 10 p.m. Uncle Luke will perform and Ross will headline the concert.
“Anytime you come to a historical school like FAMU as an artist, you can’t ask for more than that,” Ross said.
Ross, who is the founder of the expanding record label Maybach Music Group, announced that he may surprise students with some special guests.
“I want to keep giving artists an opportunity to live their dreams and do what they love,” Ross said. “I want to extend the opportunity I received.”
Ross graduated from Carol City Senior High School and attended Albany State University, a historically black college, on a football scholarship. Ross said he feels a special connection with FAMU students.
“I feel at one with the them,” Ross said. “We listen to the same things and come from the same places. That’s who you make your records for.”
Although some students felt it was unfair for them to be charged to attend the concert, others were not deterred by the ticket prices that range from $47.50 to $85.00.
“I don’t care that we have to pay to see the concert,” said Shawntierra Clark, a 21-year-old third-year political science student. “I mean, come on, it’s Rick Ross. This is my first time seeing him live.”
According to Ross, students can look forward to a collection of hit records during the concert and should know that he is “just going to have a good time” on stage.
“I’m excited,” Ross said. “I already got my outfit ready. When you come here, you have to make a movie.”