With an estimated crowd of 13,000 attendees, performances, festivities and crime commandeered the Parade Ground at Saturday’s annual free concert Groovin’ on the Grounds.
YelaWolf, a rapper contracted to perform after student band and concert opener Levee Daze, walked off stage because he refused to keep his set free of profanity.
Student Government President Taylor Cox said YelaWolf’s contract was written four months ago, and it was requested in the contract he use clean versions of his songs.
“Apparently his management did not tell him about this until moments before his performance,” Cox said.
There were rumors among the crowd that YelaWolf’s microphone was cut off and he was kicked off the stage because of his use of profanities, but Cox said those rumors were false.
“We’re not allowed to do that,” Cox said. “The media group that we used had control over all of that.”
Although YelaWolf left the stage, the DJ that accompanied him stayed to entertain the crowds.
“Because he left, YelaWolf’s contract is now null and void,” Cox said.
Cox said YelaWolf will not be paid because he broke his contract. He said for performers to get paid, they must perform for a certain amount of time, which YelaWolf did not do.
SG Director of Programming Nicholas Smith said at this moment, YelaWolf’s contract is completely broken, which also means his DJ who performed will not be paid, either.
Smith said YelaWolf was going to be paid $17,500 before he broke his contract.
Students said they were let down by YelaWolf’s early exit but were unsurprised given his explicit lyrics.
“I thought it was unfortunate. At the same time, I feel like if you sign a contract you should abide by that contract,” said mass communication sophomore Bradley Williams.
Olivia Barry, natural resource junior, said the incident wasn’t unexpected, and she was surprised he was even signed to perform.
Crime was also an issue at this year’s Groovin’.
A stabbing involving two 19-year-olds who do not attend the University occurred during the performances.
Cox said the stabbing was a terrible situation, but everything that could have been done to prevent crime at the concert was done.
Williams said he heard about the stabbing through a friend.
“It should be discussed about how to improve safety for students next year,” Williams said.
After YelaWolf’s abbreviated performance, Grace Potter took the stage.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Reveille on her tour bus, Potter said the concert was amazing.
“This was definitely the biggest crowd we have had for our college gigs,” Potter said. “Like yesterday at Ole Miss, it was big, but this was much bigger.”
Potter said she didn’t know what to expect from the crowd.
“Between YelaWolf and Lupe Fiasco, I didn’t expect people to know who I was,” Potter said. “I thought the crowd was exceptional.”
Potter said she walked around the University for about two hours earlier in the day and was amazed by the campus’ beauty.
Potter, who normally performs with her band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, performed with only her drummer in a more acoustic style.
“I don’t know if we’ll ever do that again,” Potter said. “So you guys really got something special.”
Smith said the concert cost a total of $225,000.
He said headliner Lupe Fiasco earned $75,000, Grace Potter received $35,000 and YelaWolf would have been paid $17,500 if he had not broken his contract.
Lupe Fiasco closed the show with his hit song “The Show Goes On.”
Students said they enjoyed Lupe’s performance.
“I really liked Grace Potter, but I loved how Lupe Fiasco engaged the crowd,” Barry said.
“I guess that kind of thing just happens in the show biz. We rolled with the punches and we worked it out and the show went on.”
Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, raps next to a band member during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin' on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
