MTSU’s announcement of GloRilla as this year’s spring concert headliner has sparked a wide range of reactions across campus, with students expressing both excitement and frustration.
The decision gained a lot of attention, not only from student debate, but also from Sidelines’ announcement coverage.
For some, the announcement was an immediate hit.
“I was ecstatic,” senior Travis Ray said. “I was texting all of my friends to see who wanted to come with — I knew I had to be there.”
Senior Alexus Cox shared a similar reaction, saying she was excited to see an artist she already listens to perform live, especially at a free campus event. She added that concerts like this have become one of her favorite traditions at MTSU.
Not all students felt the same enthusiasm.
“I was genuinely excited when the spring concert was announced,” senior Dylan Bailey said. “It did not meet the expectations I had for a major campus event.”
Bailey said the selection felt “out of touch,” adding that few people in his circle actively listen to GloRilla’s music. Freshman Madison Kitchen echoed that sentiment, saying the choice does not reflect a wide range of student interests and describing the artist’s music as “overly sexualized.”
Still, other students argued the selection makes sense for the campus audience. Junior Grant Williams said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the announcement and believes GloRilla’s high-energy style translates well to a live performance.
“As someone who listens to ‘hype’ rap constantly, I love this selection,” Williams said. “Her beats get me going and make me wanna run through a wall.”
Williams also pointed to GloRilla’s Memphis roots as a factor, saying her presence resonates with many Tennessee students.
Even among those excited about the concert, there is an understanding that not every student will be satisfied.
“It is going to be difficult to find an artist that everyone would be fully interested in,” Cox said, noting the range of musical preferences across campus.
That divide has also led to broader suggestions about the future of the event. Bailey said MTSU could consider hosting multiple concerts with different genres, while Kitchen said students should have more input in the selection process.
The contrast in opinion thrives on Yik Yak, where users post anonymously, and reactions have been more unfiltered. One user wrote, “Why GloRilla please a different type of artist please I’m begging you,” while another replied, “me when I’m racist.” In another post, a user joked, “It’s so over. Murfreesboro has fallen #springconcert.”
GloRilla takes the stage on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in the Murphy Center.
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