UCO welcomes rapper Waka Flocka Flame to perform at ChoChella

Award-winning artist Waka Flocka Flame performed at UCO’s ChoChella this past Thursday at the Hamilton Field House as part of the university’s 2024 Stampede Week.

Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame, known for his Billboard Hot 100 hits such as “No Hands” and “Hard in da Paint,” was invited to headline UCO’s annual musical event. Flame, along with opening act DJ Lightbright, arrived at the school’s on-campus indoor venue, and performed for hundreds of UCO students.

The concert was entirely free for students to attend, as it was scheduled as part of UCO’s Stampede Week; a period where students are invited to participate in games, learn about clubs and campus events, connect with others and celebrate the beginning of the new semester.

The concert started about an hour after the doors were opened, beginning with DJ Lightbright, whose set lasted about another hour. He played various high energy hip-hop songs, keeping audience members engaged as he shouted things such as, “Who’s ready for Waka Flocka Flame,” to which many people expressed their enthusiasm for.

While standing by for Waka Flocka Flame to come out, Madeline Holguin, a student at UCO, was asked if she was excited for the rapper to appear, and if there was a certain song of his that she was looking forward to hearing.

“Yes, I’m excited,” she said. “There is a song that I want to hear, but I don’t know the name of it. He’s kind of a one hit wonder.”

Holguin was also asked about her opinion on the venue that was chosen, to which she responded with, “Hot.”

Shortly after, Flame came running out onto the stage, which was met with excited screams from the audience. He immediately began performing one of his songs, jumping around, shaking his hair, and shouting the lyrics into his microphone.

In a few instances, he would even get down from the stage and onto the floor, then up onto the railing that separated him from the crowd, and personally interacted with people. He shook many students’ hands, and at one point even joined the crowd to perform some songs alongside students.

Flame continued for about an hour, maintaining high energy throughout his set, and playing some of his most well known songs, as well as a lot of lesser known material. Following the performance, all of the attendees exited the venue onto the sidewalks outside.

Jonny Wackler, one of the volunteers assisting in cleaning up, was asked to give his initial reaction to Waka Flocka Flame’s performance.

“I wasn’t able to see the whole thing, but I caught the last song at the very end,” he said, referring to Flame’s song “No Hands.” Wackler continued, “They used to play that song in the club when I was younger. It’s a good one.”

Additionally, UCO student Jose Eaddy, in response to that same question, said, “This was infinitely better than last year.” He then said, “ I wasn’t feeling too good today, but this made my day a lot better.”