Juice Jam brings beloved classics, new music to SU

This year’s Juice Jam opened with a usual rush of fans to the barricades for front-row spots and closed with a revved-up crowd bouncing right along with hip-hop star T-Pain’s headlining set.

University Union‘s annual fall concert drew a few thousand students to Syracuse University’s Skytop Field for a nearly non-stop revolving line-up of hip-hop artists, inflatable slides and bounce houses and promotional booths from campus organizations and energy drink companies.

First to take the Juice Jam stage was Doechii, who wore a blue patchwork maxi dress and pumps to match. Her second song of the set was an unreleased track full of upbeat rap that was well received by an enthusiastic early audience.

Doechii engaged with her audience until everyone was on their feet and dancing as the crowd grew larger and larger, leading up to the following performers. A blowup obstacle course and a bouncy house kept students busy in between sets.

Sophomore Olivia Riddoch was one of many participants in the obstacle course.

“Juice Jam is a cool mix of music and outdoor activities,” Riddoch said. “It feels like a festival.”

Not long after Doechii’s last song, Yung Gravy took the stage. Out of the four artists, Yung Gravy drew the largest crowd to the stage. Multiple students said they were most excited for his set.

“What’s popping Syracuse? How we doin’?” Gravy called out to the crowd as he began his set, his head bopping along to the beat.

The 26-year-old rapper played hit after hit including “Betty,” “Cheryl” and “Mr. Clean.” Like Doechii, he also played an unreleased song titled “C’est La Vie,” which will be released Friday and is full of high-energy rap with a snappy beat. With mellower energy compared to Doechii, his charisma and calm attitude throughout his performance kept the crowd fully engaged.