Latto makes history as the first Black woman to headline Block Party

When DJ Von called out on Friday night, “Are you ready for Big Mama?” the roar of SU students answered. Yes, they were. 

This year’s Block Party performances from Latto and Role Model’s buzzed the JMA Wireless Dome on Friday night. Hosted by University Union (UU), the student-run organization is dedicated to enhancing the campus experience. This year, Naimah Rahman, UU’s President and the first woman of color to serve in this role, made history for the 2025 Block Party. 

“I think it really reflects what the students have been begging us for years,” said Rahman. “I’m so lucky to have been part of that change and that the rooms making these decisions are starting to look more like the world around us.”

The night kicked off with Role Model, who took the stage at around 8:10  p.m., to screams from the crowd. Backed by smoke machines and vibrant lighting, he switched effortlessly between electric and acoustic guitars, drawing fans in with hits like “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” At one point, he picked out a student to be his “Sally” from the crowd — just in time for the song to drop.

He made sure to engage with the audience like when he pointed to an audience member holding a “Your Mom Taught Me Math” sign. 

“My mom’s a special ed teacher,” said Role Model with a grin. “I’ll tell her you love her, just for you.”

He also danced on stage performing “Look At That Woman”; the Dome floor vibrated as the audience jumped to the beat. Throughout the performance, he joked with the crowd saying (“Hi, I’m Olivia Rodrigo”), and  (“I know y’all came for Latto”). 

His dynamic and energetic stage presence kept the crowd alive and every time he put his mic up to the audience, they knew the lyrics by heart and sang right alongside him. 

“I really like Role Model,” said Faith Sharpe, a freshman at SU. “I’m a really big fan and I love his new album.” 

As Role Model’s set wrapped up, Lattos’s official DJ, DJ Von, kept the momentum high. He played tracks like “Hello” by Adele and “Pepas” by Farruko and hyped the crowd: “Are you ready for Big Mama?”

Red lights pulsed, fog spilled across the stage and Latto emerged– decked out in a vintage Syracuse University Carmelo Anthony jersey– opening with “Georgia Peach.” She walked across the stage, leading the crowd to spell out “BIG LATTO” and gave an exclusive listen to an unreleased track,  “Somebody,”  while saying, “y’all gotta be special.” 

“I feel like anywhere else you would have paid a lot more to see Latto,” said Ashley Morgan, a sophomore at SU. “I’m really excited, I love Latto.”

Midway through her set, Latto paused to launch “Big Mama’s Giveaway” — a surprise moment where she gifted $1,000 and Givenchy Shark Boots to two Black women standing in the front of the crowd. Overcome with emotion, both women cried and profusely thanked Latto for the gifts. 

After the “Big Mama Giveaway” landed on the $0 option, she performed one of her biggest songs “Brokey”. She thanked the crowd for matching her energy: “Y’all got me in a good mood tonight.” 

With Role Model serenading the “Sallys” and Latto uniting the “Big Mamas,” University Union’s Block Party catered to SU’s demographic like never before. From history-making moments to energetic performances, the Dome didn’t just shake — it roared.