North Carolina A&T Celebrates 100th GHOE with Gunna, Kirk Franklin Headlining Historic Concert Lineup

GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina A&T State University is pulling out all the stops for a milestone celebration, announcing a star-studded concert lineup featuring hip-hop artist Gunna and gospel icon Kirk Franklin as headliners for the 100th edition of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth (GHOE).

The university revealed Wednesday that the centennial celebration will bring thousands of students, alumni and visitors to Greensboro for a weeklong series of events running from Sunday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 1. The historic homecoming will feature two major concerts showcasing the breadth of Black musical excellence, from contemporary hip-hop and R&B to transformative gospel sounds.

Hip-Hop Royalty Takes Center Stage

The Centennial GHOE Hip-Hop/R&B Concert is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, at First Horizon Coliseum, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Gunna will headline a stacked lineup that includes Grammy-winning British R&B singer Ella Mai as a special guest, alongside Yung Miami, KWN and rising Chicago rapper BabyChiefDoit.

Gunna has established himself as one of hip-hop’s most recognizable artists through his melodic style and collaborations with some of the industry’s biggest names. Ella Mai broke through internationally with her hit single “Boo’d Up” and followed with records including “Trip.” Yung Miami rose to fame as one-half of City Girls before expanding her work as a solo performer and media personality.

Gospel Legend Closes Historic Weekend

The celebration shifts to gospel music on Sunday, Nov. 1, when Kirk Franklin headlines the Aggie Homecoming Gospel Show at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Two performances are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Franklin will be joined by special guest Kierra Sheard Kelly and the North Carolina A&T Fellowship Gospel Choir. For more than three decades, Kirk Franklin has helped reshape contemporary gospel through songs including “Stomp,” “Revolution,” “Imagine Me” and “I Smile.” His career has helped connect traditional gospel audiences with R&B, hip-hop and mainstream popular music.

Kelly brings another prominent gospel name to the GHOE lineup. The daughter of Karen Clark Sheard of The Clark Sisters has developed a successful solo career as a singer, songwriter and actress.

North Carolina A&T students receive priority access to specially priced tickets beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. General public sales for off-campus homecoming events begin Thursday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. The concerts add another major attraction to a milestone year as the university celebrates 100 editions of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.