Depending on how long you’ve experienced homecoming on “the Hill,” you know that for the most part, our annual homecoming concert has never been anything to look forward to.
And after having a lackluster line-up of performers one year, criminally involved, violent concert promoters the next year, and two sub-par concerts last year, the Office of Student Activities, and the Student Government Association have decided not to have a concert.
They have, however, come up with an alternative.
“This year’s artists will perform at three major homecoming events: the birthday bash, which will feature rapper Ace Hood; the fashion show, at which R&B singer Miguel will perform and the crab boil after the homecoming game, featuring Doug E. Fresh,” said an article by Clarece Polke published in The Famuan on Monday.
While this year’s line-up of performers seems to be a viable alternative to hosting an official concert with multiple artists, one of the invited performers presents a glaring contradiction to administration’s mission of changing the culture of the on campus, and among the student body.
Here is an excerpt from one of those artists’ latest hits. I challenge readers to read the following as if they are reciting poetry in an English class:
“I was thinking you can ride me, Miss. Kentucky Derby
I dream about it, let’s take advantage
My body on your body, hope that you can manage
Gotta moan it, damn-it, feels good
Pulling on her hair to let her know I’m still hood.”
For those students who can read above a fifth grade level, this rapper Ace Hood’s 2011 hit “Sex Dance.”
For those students who read those lyrics, and recognized them instantly…shame on you!
But what’s really shameful, is the fact that Ace Hood was invited to FAMU’s 125th birthday bash.
And rightfully so…were there other performers that would have been more fitting to celebrate the anniversary of an HBCU that is mostly female; from low-income backgrounds, and having produced scores of black leaders, than with a rapper whose lyrics are laced with misogyny, drug references and the expressed indifference to being in prison?
Student Body Vice President Troy Harris said he wasn’t fond of the idea of having Ace Hood at a black college homecoming.
“While he said he is not a fan of Ace Hood, he said the artist appeals more to the ‘typical Florida environment that a lot of FAMU students come from,'” said the article.
Sadly, Harris is right. But that isn’t an excuse. As student leaders, he and whoever else may have had some say-so in the student-centered events during homecoming week, should have asked themselves: “Are these artists truly representative of the type of students at FAMU or the perception we want to convey to a public that is still hostile to the mission of the university, and the demographic of the student body?”
Chances are, the answer to anyone who would’ve even suggested Ace Hood, was a resounding “no!”