Froot loops, roses and a whole lot of gravy on Prassel Lawn turned into a dance party. Rapper Yung Gravy rolled into Trinity’s station, bringing hit songs and students aboard the “Gravy Train.” Student Programming Board (SPB) hosted its annual concert during Welcome Weekend, bringing in 1,002 students on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m., marking the return of a Welcome Weekend performance halted since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some students found that this concert allowed them to meet their classmates and develop relationships even before the school year started. Layla Gilley, first-year undecided major, said she was excited to attend the concert despite not knowing Yung Gravy.
“It’s awesome, and it’s a great way to get people involved and out of their dorms, especially when new [first-years] are bound to be super nervous,” Gilley said.
Other students arrived as longtime fans. Cameron Lilly, senior marketing major, has been following Yung Gravy since high school. He and his friends stood at the barricade in matching “Future DILF” shirts, one of the artist’s signature merchandise designs.
“If there’s one thing I love, it’s a free concert,” Lilly said. “I showed up early just to make sure I can be on the barricade, and I’m so excited because me and my friend from high school have loved Yung Gravy since high school.”
Hands were in the air, students screamed to “Betty (Get Money)” and Gravy kept the antics coming. He threw Froot Loops and water into the audience, tossed his sweat towel to the students and ended the night by handing out roses, giving the final one to his girlfriend and media influencer Ari Kystya, who joined him on stage halfway through the performance.
Arlo Castalin, junior neuroscience major, was a huge fan of Yung Gravy. They brought an original drawing of Yung Gravy kissing fellow rapper bbno$.
“I thought it was so awesome. I almost didn’t believe Yung Gravy was gonna be here,” Castilan said. “I showed everyone, and it worked. They drew attention to me. He picked [the fan art] up and put it on his stand, and I’m very very thankful for that.”
Yung Gravy gave a shout-out to Trinity’s energy. He compared the crowd favorably to his show at the University of Alabama two days earlier.
“Per capita, y’all have been more lit than Alabama,” Yung Gravy said to the students. “You’re pooping on them!”
Jessica Edonick, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, attended the show. She said the concert reflected the effort of SPB to create memorable experiences for students.
“I am really excited about tonight’s concert,” Edonick said before the show. “SPB has done an amazing job finding an artist students will resonate with and connect with. This is a great way to kick off the year, and I am so proud of SPB for doing such a great job.”
Planning began months in advance. Katie Simmons, senior marketing major and SPB co-director, explained that the board worked with Degy Entertainment, a third-party booking company, to find an artist within budget. This ended up being Yung Gravy, whose booking fee was around $60,000 for Yung Gravy alone, not including security, fencing and other necessities.
“Our mission is to provide events to as many students as possible, and I think reaching half the student body is a good measure of that,” Simmons said.
John De Hoyos, sophomore undecided major and co-director of SPB, along with Simmons, said the attendance far exceeded expectations, especially compared to the 300 students at last year’s spring concert with Bryce Vine and Hoodie Allen.
“I don’t think any other [university-sponsored organization] could pull off what we did,” De Hoyos said.
As fans hopped aboard the “Gravy Train,” the message was clear: Trinity’s small campus could still throw a big show.
