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Bella Stevens arrived at the JMA Wireless Dome more than four hours before the doors opened for Block Party 2025. She was trying to change her general admission ticket to a pit ticket. Using a Sharpie, she covered her back and her roommate’s arms with the phrase “I heart Latto.”

“I was looking for Latto tickets at home, but she wasn’t performing anywhere near,” Stevens, a Syracuse University freshman, said. “When I saw she was playing here, I literally screamed in the car.”

This year, University Union’s annual Block Party featured Atlanta-based rapper Latto as its headliner, along with an opening act from singer-songwriter Role Model.

Past Block Party performances have included more performers, but this year’s event with fewer artists was still a hit. The crowd kept up their energy for both artists, despite their two very different genres.

UU kicked off Friday’s Block Party celebration with a Block Darty on the Shaw Quadrangle. Though it was later canceled due to rain, students enjoyed food trucks, live music from artists Padma and Alex Vaughn and even bouncy castles before the concert.

Despite the rain, the show in the Dome went on as scheduled. Role Model began his performance by singing “Writing’s On The Wall,” a song about young love. He also played hit songs like “Look At That Woman” and his cover of The 1975’s “Somebody Else.” The artist closed out his set with the song, “Deeply Still In Love,” which is rumored to be about his ex-girlfriend, influencer Emma Chamberlain.

Role Model opened for Latto at this year’s Block Party. During his set, he brought SU sophomore Ava Herzner on stage to be his “Sally.” Megan Hendricks | Senior Staff Photographer

During one of his most popular new songs, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” — about a girl by the name of Sally that Role Model met one night at a dive bar — Role Model invited the concert’s very own Sally to the stage.

Sophomore Ava Herzner had lost her group of friends in the Dome, so she was dancing on the side of the pit with the only friend she could find when concert organizers approached them, asking who wanted to join Role Model on stage. Herzner ended up onstage and the two danced together throughout the song.

“I honestly couldn’t even look at the crowd as I was up there, I was so nervous,” Herzner said. “I was just trying to soak it all in because it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Herzner said dancing on stage with Role Model and hugging him was the highlight of any concert she’d ever been to.

For Herzner, Role Model and his music embody the attitude of not caring about what other people think. The performance had a positive crowd that matched Role Model’s energy and his music.

Between belting out song lyrics, some crowd members held homemade signs in hopes of catching Role Model’s attention. One person’s sign read, “Your mom taught me math.” Role Model responded to the message in between songs, saying, “I’ll be sure to tell her you love her.”

Some attended Block Party primarily for Role Model, like senior Rachel Musman, who’s been following him ever since his feature on her favorite podcast, “Therapuss with Jake Shane.” Others, like junior Jordan Kramer, came in not knowing much about him — but Role Model’s performance turned out to be her favorite of the night.

Kramer said a highlight from the show was hearing “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out.”

“I swear, Role Model waved to me, but no one believes me,” Kramer said.

Role Model fans celebrated his Syracuse visit during the Block Darty on the Quad and his Block Party Dome performance. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter performed before rapper Latto. Megan Hendricks | Senior Staff Photographer

In between the opening and headlining performances, DJ Von mixed a variety of songs by different artists like Adele and Tyler, the Creator, before introducing Latto.

Latto greeted concertgoers in the Dome with open arms, wearing a SU basketball Carmelo Anthony jersey. She hyped up the crowd’s lively energy, and even customized one of the lines in her hit song, “Brokey,” to say, “When I leave Syracuse.”

Latto began her performance with a song about her hometown Atlanta,“Georgia Peach.” Her vibrant performance included over 15 songs, including “B*tch From Da Souf,” “Big Mama,” “Sunday Service” and “Blick Sum.” She even performed one unreleased song, telling the crowd, “Repeat after me,” as they followed along on her lyrics.

Freshmen Chisimdi Ikeanusi and Cece Oyegue came to Block Party for Latto, marking the pair’s first-ever concert. They were eager to stand front row in the pit. Oyegue’s goal for the night was to lose her voice. Both Oyegue and Ikeanusi said they feel “big mama energy” and “untouchable” when they listen to her music.

The Syracuse crowd was giving “10 out of 10” energy, Latto said. That’s why, after singing her fourth song, she told the crowd “I know you like free sh*t,” and offered free gifts.

Latto gave $1,000 to a lucky fan in the crowd. When the cash accidentally wound up in the hands of the wrong fan, she told the crowd member she’d still send her $1,000 via Cash App.

While holding a large white Givenchy bag, Latto pointed out another audience member and asked if they wore a size 39 shoe. Stunned, Kumba Cavazzini Diop went home with a pair of designer boots. The gifts of money and Givenchy Shark Boots were part of the “Big Mama Giveaway,” a testament to Latto’s connection with her audience.

Cavazzini Diop traveled to the concert from Ithaca, where she’s a freshman at Cornell University. She’s been a Latto fan since 2018, but never expected to get her attention this way.

Some students, like Kramer, came to Block Party knowing little about an artist, but left as fans. But for others, this year’s show fulfilled a longtime dream.

“One day, I was just a little girl screaming Latto songs in my living room every day,” Cavazzini Diop said. “She noticed me today.”

Published on April 26, 2025 at 2:58 pm
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