Following Emory’s Student Programming Council (SPC)’s announcement that Atlanta-based hip-hop trio Migos will headline Dooley’s Week 2017, the more than 30 students that The Emory Wheel interviewed expressed widespread support for SPC’s selection.
Booking Migos was based in large part from survey results sent to all undergraduate and graduate students, according to SPC Vice President Aaron Levey (17B).
“The overwhelming majority … of people who filled out the survey said that their preference for music was in rap and hip-hop,” Levey said.
Migos released its most popular song, “Bad and Boujee,” October 2016. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in January and February 2017 following Donald Glover’s endorsement of their hit in his Golden Globes acceptance speech.
After their 2015 performance at Georgia Southern University, Migos was arrested by the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office for misdemeanor marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone and possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, according to The George Anne.
Levey said SPC was aware of Migos’ actions at Georgia Southern University during the artist selection process, and Sgt. John Harper of the Emory Police Department (EPD) said that EPD is aware of the incident.
Harper added that EPD would have “extra police officers that will be working the event” because the department expects a large student turnout for the popular trio.
Of the more than 30 Emory students from all divisional schools with whom the Wheel spoke, one student said she had hoped for a “classic rock” performer instead of hip-hop. Twenty-three students voiced satisfaction with Migos, and one expressed indifference.
“I’m ecstatic … because I personally really, really like [Migos] and I think that it’s great that [SPC] got them, especially at their peak right now,” Anisah Rashid (19OX) said.
Ethan Alwaise (17C) and five other students said they had never heard of the hip-hop group until SPC released the announcement March 16 via a Facebook video.
“I’ll probably wind up going,” Alwaise said. “If my friends go, I’ll go.”
The post garnered about 70,000 views, 792 likes and 720 shares as of March 21 at 8:46 p.m. Guest registration closed 10 hours after it opened Monday because the event had reached capacity, according to SPC’s Facebook page.
Previous Dooley’s Week headlines include The Chainsmokers and DJ Khaled in 2016, J. Cole in 2015 and Chance the Rapper in 2014.
Migos has close ties to Atlanta. The group originated from Lawrenceville, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, according to XXL. Additionally, the trio guest-starred on an episode of the television show “Atlanta” last year.
“I think it’s cool that they’re local,” Louisa Lee (19C) said.
Despite the overwhelming support from students, not everyone plans to attend the concert. Rob La Terza (20C) said he will not attend the concert.
“I’m just going to be in my room, listening to jazz,” La Terza said. “That’s how I’m going to spend the Migos concert night.”
Devin Bog contributed reporting.
Former Executive Editor | Richard Chess (20C) served as the Wheel's executive editor from March 2018 to August 2019. He also held various other positions at the Wheel including as news editor and senior editor. As news editor, Richard covered issues related to the city of Atlanta and reported that the 2016 Migos scandal cost Emory $37,500. Richard has received numerous collegiate journalism awards for his investigative and objective news coverage, including an SPJ Mark of Excellence Award in 2019.
