The Bluff City Bash during the University of Memphis homecoming week on Oct. 5 featuring Playboi Carti and Fetty Wap cost the university $40,000 more than last year, despite pulling in 1,388 less attendees than last year.
During the 2017 Bluff City Bash, rapper 21 Savage was criticized by some students for not performing his full set and still being paid the full $85,000 by the university.
U of M Student Engagement Coordinator MK Tyler said the 2018 Bluff City Bash had a problem similar to the incident with 21 Savage, as a potential artist cancelled, and Fetty Wap was not able to perform his full contracted set.
“The Office of Legal Counsel negotiated with the artist (Fetty Wap) prior to the artist taking the stage once we realized they would be missing half their set due to travel delays,” Tyler said. “Last year, we did not anticipate the artist not performing the entire contracted time, as such no conversation happened.”
Playboi Carti was paid his full $75,000, while Fetty Wap, who only played half his set, was paid $50,000 — half the originally contracted amount. The total cost was $125,000, which was the most that has been spent on a concert at the U of M. The $85,000 paid to 21 Savage in the 2017 Bluff City Bash is the second most.
Tyler said the university was able to pay more to bring than previous years the artists in because the Bluff City Bash was the only concert planned for the year.
“Bluff City Bash is the only concert for the 2018-19 school year.” Tyler said. “Because of this, more money was allocated to artist fees,” Tyler said.
Tyler said funding for the Bluff City Bash was taken out of the Student Activities Fee and Large Event Fee funding, which is included the Program Service Fees. The Program Service Fees are a required fee paid by all students.Student taking six or more credit hours pay $818.50 for this. The Student Activities Fee is for students’ educational, social, cultural, recreational and leadership benefit and promotes many programs and events at the university, according to the U of M Bursar’s Office.
Tyler also said the potential artist canceling before the Bluff City Bash caused the late announcement of the artists. Despite these problems, some students who attended, such as U of M sophomore Tyler Williams, said they enjoyed the Bluff City Bash.
“I would say that it was really good,” Williams said. “There were moments where it wasn’t as lit as you think it would be because it took a minute before Fetty Wap got in, but for the most part, it was really exciting. Playboy Carti had the crowd hype, and overall it was really fun.”
Williams missed the Bluff City Bash last year, but she said based off what she heard, this year’s was a “step up.”
“Everyone said they didn’t like it because [21 Savage] only stayed for 30 minutes,” Williams said. “I’m glad that I didn’t go because I would’ve been super disappointed, especially for people that paid, but I would say for this one, it didn’t disappoint.”
Brandon L. Howard contributed to this story.
Playboi Carti (top) and Fetty Wap (bottom) perform for 2,071 students at the 2018 Bluff City Bash. Students will not find out who headlines Bluff City Bash this year until the day of the event Nov. 1.
Playboi Carti performs at the 2018 Bluff City Bash. The university paid the artist $75,000, part of the $125,000 that was spent on both of the artists.
Playboi Carti (top) and Fetty Wap (bottom) perform for 2,071 students at the 2018 Bluff City Bash. Students will not find out who headlines Bluff City Bash this year until the day of the event Nov. 1.
