Baby Tate caps off an energetic Music Fest 2024
Baby Tate makes history as the first woman to headline a large-scale Hofstra concert. Find more photos on The Hofstra Chronicle’s website. // Annie MacKeigan / The Hofstra Chronicle
This year’s Music Fest electrified crowds with three acts at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on Saturday, April 13. Atlanta-based rap artist Baby Tate headlined the show, with special guests Ice Man Mir and Tino the Incredible all bringing audience members to their feet.
Baby Tate has had her music featured on the popular HBO series “Euphoria.” Her debut album “Girls” was praised by XXL as one of the best hip-hop projects of 2019. Baby Tate’s one-hour set at Hofstra saw her groove and engage with the crowd to hits such as “Hey, Mickey!” “Rainbow Cadillac” and “Mean Girl.”
Baby Tate said performing on college campuses offers an opportunity to show that her music is “intentional” in embracing female empowerment. She is also the first woman to headline a concert of this scale at Hofstra in over a decade.
“The floodgates keep opening for female rappers and female artists,” Baby Tate said.
Her first professional tape, “ROYGBIV,” granted her full creative control. Since 2014, she has released her album “Girls” along with six EPs.
Ice Man Mir graduated from Hofstra last December as a music business major. Tino the Incredible is a current Hofstra senior also majoring in music business.
Ice Man Mir, who is from North Babylon, has utilized the insights he gained at Hofstra while navigating the industry. His 30-minute opener brought vigorous energy with songs like “GEEK OUTTA LOT” and “Drinkin Hennessy,” which boasts over 100,000 streams on Spotify.
Ice Man said learning the ins and outs of streaming, shows and merchandising from the university has helped to elevate his stature on Long Island and beyond.
Nevertheless, he was excited to return home. “After graduating in December, I was feeling pretty homesick. It took some adjustments not being here,” Ice Man said. “But to come back for an event like this is surreal.”
Following Ice Man Mir’s set, Tino the Incredible took the stage for a 45-minute set with a full band and three background singers.
He says his music blends R&B, pop and rap to create a distinct sound.
Tino said many of his bandmates met within the past year and a half, but this was not apparent to the audience as they seamlessly performed songs such as the melodic “Glass Eyepiece” and new release “Pillow Talk in Boston.”
“It’s more hanging out and having a good time with my band,” Tino said. “If they’re feeling good up there, I’m feeling good, and I hope that translates to the audience.”
Tino the Incredible captivates the audience with a blend of R&B, pop and rap. // Donald Proctor / The Hofstra Chronicle
Music Fest is presented by Hofstra Concerts, who began planning for the event in the fall. According to Hofstra Concerts president Katie Rogers, artist selection began in January. Rogers said it was especially important to find a female headliner.
As for the openers, students selected one performer at the Battle for Music Fest in March. Tino the Incredible won out of the pool of four artists. Ice Man Mir was brought in late to replace Unispan Records rap artist CIV.
Music Fest is funded by the Student Government Association as part of the Hofstra Concerts budget. Rogers appreciates engagement from the Hofstra community at large in making the event a success.
“The show was really entertaining; [Baby Tate] really did her thing,” said Morgan Green, a sophomore psychology major.
Baby Tate will be releasing a new album in the summer called “C U Next Tuesday.”
Hofstra Concerts’ next event will be partnering with WRHU on Wednesday, April 24, during common hour to host a concert featuring Hofstra rock band Shy Flyer on the Bits & Bytes quad.
