How HBCU Homecomings Have Helped Shape Some of Today’s Biggest Stars

HBCU homecomings have always set the tone for some of the most memorable moments in Black culture, extending far beyond the campus and even some of the big stages in music. On these weekends, the campus transforms into a true living, breathing audience. Balloons draped throughout the campus in school colors. Buzzing vendor booths with all sorts of merchandise and art surround the perimeter. Sizzling food options that fill the soul and soak up the booze. Bands battle it out on the field showcasing their school pride. Alumni and students dressed to the nines as they watch, cheer, and judge, turning every performance that hits the stage into a moment that defines the vibes for the multi-day weekend, and even further, an artist’s career.

For rising artists, homecoming stages offer up a chance to connect directly with loyal listeners, gain exposure to alumni and media networks, and cast their music to a wider net. One example that comes to mind dates back to October 1995 at Howard University’s Homecoming. Notorious B.I.G. and Foxy Brown were at the height of their careers, iconically performing on The Yard in front of thousands of fans. That performance alone became such a foundational moment for hip-hop at HBCUs, and also helped solidify Howard’s homecoming as one of the major cultural events in the DMV that would, in turn, later attract high-profile performers and massive crowds for years to come.

Over time, HBCU homecoming stages have seen performances that echo far for rising stars testing out their craft. Even legendary acts have stamped their importance and impact on the culture. Homecoming creates moments. It inspired the greats like Beyoncé, who coined the Black homecoming experience at her legendary Coachella performance. It’s even influenced others outside the culture, like Taylor Swift, who once faced accusations of cultural appropriation at her 2019 Billboard Music Awards performance that featured a marching band dressed in pastel pinks that appeared very similar to the style of “Beychella.”

The muse that is homecoming is bringing HBCU culture to the forefront. Here are some of the most unforgettable homecoming performances over the years that helped catapult some of our current faves on the charts and a few homecoming-inspired performances that brought more life to the culture:

Drake – Howard University, 2012

It would be impossible to talk about iconic homecoming performances without mentioning Drake. Just three years after signing to Young Money and breaking through with So Far Gone, he shocked thousands of students and alumni with a surprise appearance on The Yard during Howard University’s 2012 homecoming. Howard hadn’t seen talent of that caliber in years, and Drake instantly lit up blogs and media outlets across the country. Fans stormed the stage trying to get close to the Toronto rapper, adding to the chaos and thrill of the moment.

What made it special wasn’t just the surprise—it was the timing. Drake was already a star, but still in the early chapters of building the OVO empire. The performance gave him cultural currency with an audience that values realness and community. For Howard, it was a reminder that Yardfest remains one of the most important stages in Black culture. And for Drake, it was another building block that would push him toward all his Grammy-winning success.

Outkast – Morris Brown College, 2006

When it comes to weaving HBCU culture into mainstream music, few artists have done it like Outkast. In 2002, the duo released Morris Brown—a track that didn’t just nod to the Atlanta-based HBCU, but put the school’s culture front and center. The song features the Morris Brown College Wolverines Marching Band, giving the school national visibility at a time when it was facing financial struggles.

That moment mattered on multiple levels. For Outkast, it reinforced their reputation as artists who celebrate Southern Black culture in all forms. For Morris Brown, it was a shot of cultural credibility and pride, showcasing the influence HBCU bands carry in shaping sound and style. Coming just a few years after Drumline spotlighted HBCU marching culture for a wider audience, Morris Brown cemented the connection between music, film, and the lived experiences of HBCU students.

CoCo Jones – SpelHouse, Southern University, and NCAT, 2023-2024

Performing at HBCU homecomings didn’t make singer, actress, and songwriter CoCo Jones a star — but it did strengthen her credibility and remind fans of the talent they first saw during her early Disney years. At North Carolina A&T’s Homecoming in 2023 and Spelhouse Homecoming in 2024, she brought her live vocals with confidence, proving her artistry translates as powerfully on stage as it does in the studio.

Beyond showcasing her talent, these performances reconnected Jones with a community that has supported her throughout her career. Singing hits like “ICU” and debuting tracks like “Most Beautiful Design,” her undeniable aura fused effortlessly with audiences that came to feel her authenticity and next-generation energy.

Megan Thee Stallion – Claflin University, North Carolina Central University, Virginia State University, and more

Megan The Stallion has a way of turning HBCU homecomings into viral moments. In 2019, Claflin University students campaigned to bring her to their homecoming, and when she finally hit the stage the crowd went  wild. Later that year at Virginia State, her performance and interaction with students made people feel even more connected to the Houston rapper.

For Megan these stages have tied back into her own experience at Texas Southern. Graduating in 2021 while balancing a rising music career, she showed just how resilient and dedicated she was to knocking out her goals. Her journey is inspirational for the youth, a true testament that hard work pays off, and the communities where you’ve left your mark will always be there to celebrate you.