With finals looming, students took a break from studying as MTSU Student Programming and Raider Entertainment — better known as SPARE — welcomed GloRilla to Murphy Center on April 29.

The building was full of people excited to see the rapper, including students, alumni and guests. Tickets were sold out, and after wristbands were distributed, the entire floor in front of the stage was packed from the barricade to the stairs.

“I love GloRilla — her outfit, her energy [and] her personality,” one student said as they made their way through the crowd. “Me and my friends have been wanting to see her for months.”

Everyone showed up in their best outfits, including fuzzy boots, bedazzled tops and camouflage-print pants. No one went unnoticed as people inside and outside the center huddled with friends to take photos for social media. 

Before the Grammy-nominated artist made her way to the stage, DJ Cash and rapper Bktherula opened the show with their own sets. Bktherula hyped up the crowd with original songs, including “Santanny” and her 2020 hit, “LEFT RIGHT (HOES ON ME).” The performers kept the audience engaged through several call-and-response segments.

Once the stage was empty, DJ Dynasty Digital — GloRilla’s DJ — walked up and kept the momentum going with hits including “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes and “Get It Sexyy” by Sexyy Red. 

As the minutes passed, Digital introduced the headliner with enthusiasm. 

“Middle Tennessee State, I go by the name of Dynasty Digital, the littest DJ on the planet, and I DJ for one of the hottest artists in the motherfuckin’ game,” Digital said, introducing GloRilla to the stage. 

GloRilla was welcomed by a captive audience, with fans shouting “Glo” every time Digital would say “Big.” Cheers and shouts erupted from the floor, seats and bleachers as the star walked onstage behind her backup dancers. 

The artist opened her set with her song “Tomorrow,” dancing onstage as fans went bar-for-bar with every lyric. She continued with many of her old and new hits, including “Blessed,” “F.N.F.” and “LET HER COOK.” 

“I loved how she was able to keep the energy in the room up,” D’lon, an MTSU student, said. “The crowd was really responsive.” 

One of the most memorable moments from the show happened midway through, when a fan stood out from the barricade and had her next semester changed. 

During GloRilla’s performance, the artist pointed to an MTSU student standing against the barricade and asked how much her tuition was. According to the student, the price was $10,000, but if everything works out — she won’t have to pay a dime. 

“I got your next semester, boo,” GloRilla said. “Shoutout to God.” 

With this one remark, GloRilla left her mark on the Murphy Center, with fans erupting in cheers and awe as she continued her set. 

The rapper wowed the crowd with her music, moves and kind nature. As fans shouted their admiration from the stands, GloRilla held up her hands in a heart shape.

“I haven’t had a show this turn’t with energy through the roof like this in a minute,” GloRilla said.

The “T.G.I.F.” singer’s energy was infectious, and the show left many students with an experience they will never forget.