JSU’s Homecoming festivities culminated Sunday with a gospel explosion headlined by BET’s All-Star “Sunday Best” winner Dathan Thigpen, who also delivered a stirring performance with Grammy-winner Tye Tribbett in the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.
Thigpen, a JSU alum who won Season 8’s contest and has traveled the world spreading the Gospel, described coming back to Jackson for JSU’s Homecoming celebration as pure joy. It’s also where his musical career began.
In previous years, Thigpen performed with the Mississippi Mass Choir and was a band member of the legendary JSU Sonic Boom. Beyond his music, the mass communication major had worked as an adjunct instructor at JSU.
“Homecoming means so much to me because of its legacy with me and my family. My mom went to Jackson State; my dad went to Jackson State; all my brothers went to Jackson State. My grandmother was Miss Jackson College,” said Thigpen, who was raised in a family of musicians.
“We grew up coming to these games. It’s different now because I’m coming home with the love of the entire community, from the entire university. They’re saying that we’re proud of what you’re doing and how you represent the school and community. When I arrived I felt the love immediately, from the airport to the hotel to the game and today. I just love the support of Mississippi. There’s nothing like the people at home. It’s great to be back.”
The event was emceed by comedian GRIFF, a Los Angeles native who has performed nationally and internationally for more than 20 years. He delighted the crowd with tales about his first experience at a JSU Homecoming.
“When I told my daughter I was coming to Jackson State, she was so excited that she almost ripped my clothes off, telling me about the great Sonic Boom,” GRIFF said.
[pullquote align=”right”]When Tribbett stormed the stage the two featured entertainers set the place afire with a soulful high-energy vocal and dance presentation of “You Are Everything.” With green glow sticks illuminating the arena and LED dancers getting their swag on to the “Nae Nae,” the crowd whipped into a frenzy.[/pullquote]
The comedian said she screamed with delight, “Dad, they’ve got more than 300 members. Ohmigod. I can’t believe you’re going to Jackson State!” she exclaimed.
GRIFF said he really got a kick out of the alumni drum majors. “They were going hard,” he said. “This was my first experience at a JSU Homecoming, and then y’all got a win with the game against Arkansas.”
He said he met Thigpen during the singer’s appearance on “Sunday Best.” The comic was hired to do the crowd warm-up. “I got really close to his family. It’s an honor to be part of this Homecoming celebration. I’m now a huge Jackson State fan. Matter of fact, I bought so many JSU T-shirts and scarfs yesterday at the hotel, and I haven’t even gone to college. With all the stuff I got, they’re gonna think I went to Jackson State,” he joked.
Meanwhile, sitting on the front row waiting for the concert to begin, Anthony L. Holloman, JSU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, reflected on all the activities leading up to Sunday’s finale.
“This has been an unbelievable week of activities for our students, alumni and friends. This is a perfect way to close out the celebration with one of our own coming back with a Gospel concert. We’re very proud of the accomplishments of Dathan Thigpen. This is the kind of event that encapsulates everything that’s happened – a celebration of song, the alumni returning to celebrate all the activities. This is something that Jackson State is known for. This has been really inspiring. I’m excited for the future of Jackson State. We are going to the next level.”
Thigpen, who performed the National Anthem for the Homecoming game, delivered rousing performances Sunday, including “We’re Blessed,” “Jesus Is Real” and “Blessings of Abraham.” Also, during the evening, he reunited with his group Holy Nation. As well, the crowd was blessed with a special performance by a Texas trio, Soulfruit, which is based in Houston.
When Tribbett stormed the stage the two featured entertainers set the place afire with a soulful high-energy vocal and dance presentation of “You Are Everything.” With green glow sticks illuminating the arena and LED dancers getting their swag on to the “Nae Nae,” the crowd whipped into a frenzy. Indeed, Gospel rose to another level.
Despite the sea of green, one color still remains dear to Thigpen’s heart.
“I bleed blue,” said the artist of the university’s color. “I’m so happy to be a Jackson State alum, and I will spread it to the world that this is the place that trained me to be what I am today.”
Thigpen offered advice to others who dare to follow in his footsteps.
“For any student or anybody who’s pursuing a career, I suggest that you never give up your dream. God will show himself to be faithful in your season. Now, this is my season,” he said.
