The University of Mississippi Student Activities Association is bringing the “East Atlanta Santa” to the Grove stage.
Gucci Mane will perform on April 30 for a free spring concert.
Since the concert is free, some students are preparing to camp out, to ensure they secure a spot up close to see one of their favorite rappers.
“I’m camping out. It’s a wrap. I already have a plan devised,” Jessie Gregory said. “My friends and I are bringing snacks and whoever else is camping out is free to join us.”
SAA has had pretty big names hit the Grove stage like Thomas Rhett, Nelly, Soulja Boy and Grace Potter. NEEDTOBREATHE and special guest Mat Kearney were featured at last year’s spring concert.
The annual SAA spring concert is known to draw thousands of students and others from the Oxford community.
Gucci Mane, the 2017 Billboard music nominee, is expected to draw a large audience since the concert coincides with the 22nd annual Double Decker Arts Festival the last weekend in April.
Since the release of the video announcement, SAA has been receiving feedback from students.
“We announced it on Thursday at 12:15, we released a video on social media and everyone seemed really excited,” Brady Ruffin, co-director of special events said.
Every year SAA executive council goes through a list of possible artists for the annual spring concert.
“We look for artists based on availability, popularity amongst students and that’s basically how we chose Gucci Mane,” Ruffin said.
Luckily, the Atlanta rapper had an empty slot on April 30 while he is on tour showcasing his “Trap God Tour” across the country.
Gucci Mane’s new songs “Back on Road” and “Champions” have the rapper back on the scene, scoring him chart-topping rap hits and landing him a No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Hot 100 after being released from prison in May 2016.
According to Global Talent Agency, a performance fee for Gucci Mane usually costs in the range $100,000. But the exact amount paid to Gucci Mane has not been divulged by SAA.
“It’s really unbelievable,” Taylor Johinas said. “I can’t believe Gucci is actually coming to Ole Miss.”
