LEWIS: Waka Flocka Flame saves UPC’s spring concert

‘Twas was the night before the University Program Council’s spring concert when all through the campus, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stage was built at the Lied Center with care, in hopes that JPEGMafia would soon be there. 

Waka Flocka Flame performs at the UPC spring concert on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Lied Center in Lincoln. Photo by Izzy Lewis.

UPC members opened their email Wednesday morning to an email from JPEGMafia. He would not be there. With less than 24 hours to find a new headliner, UPC called up their only option: Waka Flocka Flame, who immediately hopped on a flight to Lincoln. 

With only hours before the concert, UPC announced that they, KFRX and the Lied Center would present Waka Flocka Flame as the surprise headliner in front of the Lied Center at 12th and R Streets.  

Everything else about the event remained the same. It was still free to attend, local student band Pearl Parade still opened the show and DeWayne Taylor emceed the event. 

UPC has been trying to bring Waka Flocka Flame to Lincoln for a while, Karen Wills, the UPC Nebraska coordinator, said. 

Waka Flocka Flame is a rapper from Atlanta. He first rose to fame with his 2009 single, "O Let's Do It.” The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and led to a record deal for him. 

In 2010, he released his follow-up single, "No Hands" featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale. The single reached number 13 on the chart, receiving diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Saving Nebraska events isn’t a new feat for Waka Flocka Flame. In September 2022, he stepped in as the closing act for Husker Hoops Opening Night at Pinnacle Bank Arena. He replaced EST Gee just days before the event. This year’s UPC concert was an even faster turnaround for the rapper. 

The concert started at 7 p.m. with an opening performance from Pearl Parade which filled the time before Waka Flocka Flame  was set to take the stage at 8 p.m. 

DJ 9ine arrived on stage first, sporting a Husker jersey. He was joined by multiple Husker student-athletes including Dylan Raiola, Emmett Johnson, Harper Murray and Laney Choboy. The group danced around, building up the energy before Waka Flocka Flame’s entrance. 

When Waka Flocka Flame came out on stage, the crowd went wild. He started his set by performing three energetic songs, before he jumped over the barricade and ventured into the crowd. 

The crowd parted to let Waka Flocka Flame through. He stopped for pictures with fans as he performed and continued to push himself through the packed crowd for a couple of songs. 

Waka Flocka Flame played some of his most popular songs including “Grove St. Party” and “Hard in Da Paint” to a receptive crowd.  

In addition to Waka Flocka Flame’s songs, other songs were played for the crowd to sing and dance along to like “FE!N” by Travis Scott and “Swag Surfin’” by Fast Life Yungstaz. 

The crowd was feeling every aspect of Waka Flocka Flame’s set. Mosh pits formed within the crowd, with people pushing and shoving each other to the music. 

Waka Flocka Flame closed the night with his most popular song, “No Hands.” The crowd had been waiting for that song in anticipation for the entire hour-long set. It was the most energetic the crowd had been, making it the perfect closing song. 

Waka Flocka Flame definitely made his impact in Lincoln. It would've been difficult to guess that this show was less than 24 hours in the making, based on the crowd’s reception and Waka Flocka Flame’s seamless setlist. 

Published in the Daily Nebraskan, read here.