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Students and Alumni Disagree on "Welcome Back Concert" Headliner Wiz Khalifa
Last week, the Ole Miss’ Student Activities Association announced that Wiz Khalifa would be headlining the annual “Welcome Back” concert for students inside the Pavilion on August 25. Since the announcement, members of the Ole Miss community have expressed their opinions with the rapper coming to campus.
It’s only fitting that a discussion of controversial music takes place 45 minutes away from the birthplace of perhaps the most talked-about musician of all time, Elvis Presley. The icon was as polarizing as he was popular, and similar controversy swirled around his music. The rise of Madonna and the advent of hip-hop were no different, and the generational gap appears to be alive and well surrounding the SAA’s choice of Khalifa to headline this concert.
Some believe that having the Pavilion host the event is disrespectful to the other events held there, and others see Khalifa’s brand as a negative reflection of the University’s message to its students.
“In the Pavilion, we have had many great events unite the campus and city of Oxford. We have had speakers like Tilman Fertitta, we held a vigil for Ty Laporte that brought students, athletes, and coaches together, we have sporting events, and last, but not least, we have Commencement in the Pavilion,” George Preston, class of 2016, said. “Receiving the highest honor of the University takes place in this building. The recurring theme in the Pavilion is togetherness. The University and City of Oxford come together in the Pavilion and uphold the University Creed.”
“As a 2001 graduate (summa cum laude), and member/supporter of the Ole Miss Real Estate Advisory Board, I am ashamed that the administration would invite and allow someone such as ‘Wiz Khalifa’ on campus as a ‘welcome back concert’ for the students,” Breck Hines said. “He celebrates the ‘gangsta’ ideology which has not one redeeming quality in today’s society. I’m not sure there is a ten-second span in one of his songs where hardcore profanity is not used. Is this what you would want your daughters going to as a ‘Welcome Back Students’ event?”
While alumni may not approve of the artist, Brady Ruffin, director of the Ole Miss Student Activities Association noted that they serve the student body and that the reaction from their constituents has been positive.
“As a body of diverse students from every part of the Ole Miss family, we take very seriously our duty to represent the student body,” Ruffin said. “Wiz Khalifa was the preferred artist by an overwhelming majority of the council. The Executive Council felt that the artist appealed to many of our students and our feedback thus far has been extremely positive from our constituents.”
Director of the Ole Miss Student Union, Bradley Baker, mentioned that students can make a choice to either attend or not, and that Khalifa’s appearance isn’t reflective of the Ole Miss administration’s values.
“As with all SAA-sponsored events, it is important to note that these activities are optional and only students who choose to attend will be there. The Student Activities Association Executive Council selected Khalifa based on interest by the broader student body and is aware that the program content is not an expression of institutional values,” Baker said.
While some are upset with Khalifa coming to campus, it’s a student-only concert, and students are excited for the popular artist to grace the stage at the Pavilion.
“What better way to open the school year than with a concert from one of the country’s most popular artists? If people think most college kids aren’t listening to this kind of music anyway then they are mistaken,” said senior Dakota Kerns. “If you don’t want to listen to it, don’t go to the concert.”
“The concert is pure ENTERTAINMENT. He will not be delivering a keynote, a presentation, a debate, nor any other form of informing people of his true values and/or imposing his beliefs onto students,” English major, Carl Tart said. “We have an outstanding SAA team this year, and I know for sure that they will make sure that this is a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all.”
The concert is set for 7:30 on Friday, August 25. Tickets will be uploaded to students’ IDs.
Steven Gagliano is the managing editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.
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Debbie Crenshaw
August 24, 2017 at 10:17 am
I agree with Breck Hines. As a manga cum laude graduate of Ole Miss who holds 2 degrees from this university, I feel like our college is becoming just like other colleges which are very liberal. According to Wikipedia, this singer smokes marijuana on a regular basis and lends his name to a marijuana product. I just wonder how many traditional or conservative students are on the student council. Ole Miss wants to be diverse which not only includes minorities and alternate lifestyles, but those who believe in traditional family values. I hope and pray Ole Miss can keep its individuality. The administration show say to themselves, just what kind of student do we want to attract to attend OM? This singer is not the best our college can do and he is not a good role model for young people.
Pearl Clutcherton
August 24, 2017 at 10:37 am
Daggum this all started with that dang Elvis Presley out there just-a-wiggling his hips!
Betty Ann Rea
August 24, 2017 at 10:41 am
Totally agree with Breck Hines. Would also like to know the makeup of the entertainment council. Also note that the student who was quoted said, “if you don’t like the music you don’t have to go to the concert”. Funny how that argument only works if it’s a liberal using it.
For the record I hold a degree from Ole Miss – graduated in 1976
Snow Flake Hater
August 24, 2017 at 11:07 am
I’d be embarrassed to have my name quoted in this article. Hey Breck and other dip shits, here’s a quarter – call someone who cares.
Snow Flake Hater
August 24, 2017 at 11:17 am
Like race or political party? I’m sure you would. For the record, it is a fact that you don’t have to go.
Hannah
August 24, 2017 at 11:47 am
This is a wonderful filter for identifying those with racist values at ole miss. If this concert bothers you, maybe it is time to reflect on why. Nobody cares about the alumni opinions for a concert geared towards present-day students.
Middle Aged White Man
August 24, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Jimmy Buffett and the Allman Brothers also played at Ole Miss and promote drug use (The HORROR) and nobody cared. Zac Brown played here and promotes drug use and nobody cared. Johnny Cash played here and has several songs about murder and abusing women (Delia’s Gone, Long Black Veil, Folsom Prison Blues). Nobody cared about that either. I wonder what the difference is between those artists and Wiz. Hmmm. I just wonder. Where was all the pearl clutching from the oldheads for those artists?
Ole Miss is a place for current students, not a country club for the alums. Deal with it.
Loretta
August 24, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Andy Kennedy hurls a lot of expletives in the Pavilion. Every game. Over and over.
I don’t hear any of the OH-SO-RIGHTEOUS-AND-PROPER CROWD complaining about that.
Debbie Crenshaw
August 24, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Funny that anyone who disagrees with liberals are criticized and scorned. Wake up, this is America. Everyone has the 1st amendment right under the Constitution. I could care less if this generation reveres singers, actors, etc. who disparage others and are terrible role models. This has nothing to do with being racist. Remember, racism is by definition a hatred for or bias towards others who are not in your racial group. This applies to anyone, even those who hate white folks. Tired of people thinking just because someone is disliked for his or her singing or acting, that is racist. I would still like to know the makeup of the student council. You see, we all love Ole Miss and would not like to see it become just another place where all opinions are not respected.
Betty Ann Rea
August 24, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Well said Debbie
Rob C.
August 24, 2017 at 7:29 pm
This hateful degrading music is welcome but Dixie is banned. How Orwellian.
Ron
August 24, 2017 at 8:41 pm
The obvious question……
Is ted nugent welcome?
They are spinning that this is all about the student committee.
You can smell bjork in this
The Thinker
August 25, 2017 at 12:03 pm
I do not know Breck Hines from Adam’s house cat, however he is right on this one. For all of those who think so positively about Mr. Khalifa, and can read, I would suggest a quick reading of “Once Upon a Time in Compton”. And after reading this book, if what passes for leadership at Ole Miss still supports this decision, just maybe those “rednecks and other undesirables” in our state legislature who want to cut back spending may be right. What is going on in Oxford is way beyond “1984”.
Scott
August 25, 2017 at 5:24 pm
I have been a donor for many years. Really thinking about bailing out. Not just because of this particularly, but this is just another in a long list of things that no longer represent our family or the ole miss that I knew,
Perhaps the gentleman performing will make up my donations.
Lee
August 26, 2017 at 2:24 pm
If the concert is being paid for by student fees, then student should have a say. Not fair to say don’t come if you are offended.
Jim Cleveland
August 29, 2017 at 6:53 am
I haven’t heard any of this fellow’s lyrics. Does he like peace and love or anarchy and violence? Does anybody here really know? Cannabis medicine will sweep the country in coming months and doctors everywhere will be writing prescriptions. The whole plant market underground will continue booming too. So will the drug war against the market that the corporations don’t control.
G.C.
August 29, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Forget the Drug Issue. Consider this Objectively. “I Believe in Respect for the Dignity for each Person. I Believe in Fairness and Civility I Believe in Personal and Professional Integrity…I Pledge to Uphold these Values and Encourage Others to Follow My Example.” I ask those of you who support the University’s decision to engage Wiz Khalid for his performance to Explain how his appearance and performance fits into the Creed. Indeed, given his Past Performances and Public record, I would like for the University to Justify the Decision, and explain why the Creed was Disregarded in order to pay him $100,000 to Perform. As far as my Standing to Request this Explanation, my Family and I hold at Least a Dozen degrees from this University. Most Importantly, I am a Citizen and Taxpayer of Mississippi. Is there a Line, or is Everything Acceptable? Or does it only Matter whose Ox is getting Gored?
G.C.
August 29, 2017 at 11:39 pm
“Appearance and Performance Fit”, not “fits”. Pardon.