Bison New and Old Come Together for Concert

On Friday October 21, as the clock struck 12 p.m. the yard brought together Bison past a present for Respect the Throne: Yardfest 2011. As hundreds gathered, the yard was transformed into a runway—where students, alumni, and visitors broke fashion barriers once again with faux fur, platforms, snapbacks, and varsity jackets. The clothing and food vendors added to the mix, as artists performed from the BET Soundstage at what felt like a family reunion.

This Yardfest that young Bison have come to know has changed over the years-- from a Saturday Greek Showdown on the yard to the ‘homecoming fest' that we now celebrate on Fridays.

School of Communications Alumna, Julie Baylor gathered on the yard with friends from her Howard days. Each one of them expressed their love for Howard and reminisced about how much homecoming has evolved. 

"Compared to when we are here, its changed 100 fold—I like its expanded… it's bigger. When we were here there were no stage performers, all of our performances were in Ira Aldridge Theater," Baylor said. 

Baylor's close friend Dr. Terry Williams, graduate of 1981, hasn't missed one homecoming, always finding time to make it back to the Mecca. 

"My favorite thing about Howard Homecoming is friends coming together and coming on the yard to see what students look like," said Williams. We see trends come back around, we see some of the same things we used to wear out here on the yard."

While Yardfest is a gathering, it is also a show. Artists trickled on and off the stage throughout the day—with people stopping by like celebrity Bison, BET veteran and 106 & Park Host AJ Calloway who ‘came home' to send well wishes to alumni and continuing students.

After performing at Midnight Madness last year, new artist Hollywood rocked the Yardfest stage—in front of a crowd of people known to build or kill an artist buzz.

"It was crazy like the biggest crowd I've ever performed for, looking at a sea of people—I've never performed for that many people before but it was a dope feeling, and I'm looking forward to doing it again," he said.

Following his performance was a line up of artists including Whoudini—who got the older Bison moving, Howard's own $urreal, as well as Southern rappers Shawty Lo and Young Jeezy.

All hands rocked in the air as Jeezy performed his hit "My Hood," everyone stood united from regions all over the country—with so many things different but one thing in common, their love and pride for the ‘Big Blue and Big White' that is Howard University.

"The energy on stage at Yardfest is crazy, it's all love, " said Corbin Butler of Surreal. "It gets my adrenaline pumping-like right before playing in a basketball or football game. "

As the show ended while the sun set, good vibes resonated through the air. Hands were filled with bags from vendors and Bison gear while faces were stamped with smiles as mouths uttered warm greetings—in excitement that this homecoming weekend was off to a great start.

"I think yardfest was great. It's always a goodtime and an added plus is that it's free," said Junior Biology major Taj Richardson. "Prestige did a great job, with performers, sponsors and everything. I didn't want it to end."

Seasoned Bison shared the same sentiment:

"I'm so inspired, look around at my people doing great things," said Baylor whose son is a 4th generation Bison. "Its new, its good, and it has surely evolved."