Several artists on Gucci Mane’s 1017 record label have embarked on a HBCU tour. Rappers Big Fizzle, Big Scarr, Enchanting, Hotboy Wes and Bigwalk Dog brought their best music to Jackson State University and Morehouse College last week but chose not to perform, as planned, at Howard University. According to Uproxx, Gucci’s 1017 crew joined students in a sit-in protest against the Washington, D.C.-based university’s poor housing conditions.
Bigwalk Dog, Big Scarr and his manager shared clips of their involvement via their Instagram Stories. “We’re still here! Students you are the revolution. We are the revolution. This is not okay,” Scarr’s manager wrote. One video shows Gucci’s artists sitting down in solidarity next to HU students.
Students at HU began their protests on Tuesday (Oct. 12), according to FOX 5 DC. During day two of the protests, the outlet reported students organized a sit-in at the Blackburn Center on campus to let administration know they did not approve of the conditions within the school’s dormitories. Students have mentioned they returned to school for the fall semester and walked in to dorms with water leaks, roaches, rats, and mold. Videos circulating social media show water gushing out of pipes, filthy air filters with mold and mildew and fungus growing on ceilings and walls.
Students have voiced several demands, thus far, including an in-person meeting with administrators by the end of the month, student representation on the Board of Trustees, and input on future housing plans for students, Fox 5 DC reports.
“Howard University represents a long-standing tradition of using our voices to drive change. The student voice is – and always will be – an essential component of the Howard University community. Simply put, we hear you and we continue to welcome your viewpoints on all matters pertaining to Howard,” reads a statement from Howard’s Board of Trustees.
“Over the past few months, we have been working tirelessly with the administration and in close partnership with our student and faculty leaders to create solutions to the issues the community has raised. We recognize the urgency at hand and share your passion. We also know that many of these issues will take time to resolve. The board supports and encourages the administration’s open, constructive dialogue with students…As Bison, you deserve the best we have to offer, and we pledge to be better and deliver just that.”
Watch Gucci’s artist protest with HU students below: