FAMU And FSU Omegas Join George Clinton On Stage For Legendary 'Atomic Dog' Performance

Music legend George Clinton brought together funk history and HBCU tradition on April 11 when members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. from Florida A&M University and Florida State University joined him on stage at the inaugural P-Funk Fest in Tallahassee, Florida, for an electrifying performance of his Billboard No. 1 hit "Atomic Dog."

Members from FAMU's Upsilon Phi Chapter and FSU's Chi Theta Chapter took the stage alongside Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic for what's expected to become an annual musical celebration, according to HBCU Game Day.

Cole Bigelow, a junior at FAMU and president of the Upsilon Psi Chapter, described the momentous occasion with enthusiasm.

"One of my prophytes alerted us that Mr. Clinton wanted us to perform Atomic Dog with him at this festival. I was so happy to not only see him perform some of his other songs, but have a chance to step as well. It was crazy. I can only say he is iconic, and it was an honor to be on stage with him."

A Cultural Connection Decades in the Making

The relationship between "Atomic Dog" and Omega Psi Phi dates back to 1982, when the song was first released.

Since then, the song has become deeply woven into the fraternity's identity and remains a staple across HBCU and Divine Nine culture. Over the years, Clinton has frequently invited local chapters of Omega Psi Phi to join him on stage during performances of "Atomic Dog," creating a signature moment that bridges funk music and fraternity tradition.

The tradition reached its pinnacle when Clinton was inducted as a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi in 2020, alongside D.L. Hughley and Anthony Anderson.

Looking Forward: An Annual Celebration

With the successful launch of P-Funk Fest, the collaboration between Clinton and HBCU chapters of Omega Psi Phi could become an annual highlight, creating ongoing opportunities for students to participate in this historic cultural tradition. The festival represents not only a celebration of funk music but also a recognition of the vital role HBCUs and Black Greek organizations play in preserving and evolving African American cultural expressions.

For the FAMU and FSU students who shared the stage with the funk legend, the experience offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform alongside an icon while representing their fraternity and universities on a major platform.

Originally reported by Black Enterprise.