Rap star and Charlotte native, DaBaby , shocked students at Garinger High School in east Charlotte Monday with a surprise performance.
Why it matters: Lovin’ Life Music Fest , which will feature DaBaby, is ramping up promotions ahead of its inaugural weekend on May 3-5.
Driving the news: Lovin’ Life Music Fest gifted tickets for some Garinger High students and presented the school’s music program with a $10,000 check for new instruments, uniforms, sheet music and other needs.
- Bob Durkin, co-founder of Southern Entertainment, tells Axios Lovin’ Life came to Garinger because it’s “had some tough times” in the last few months. The school has coped with the loss of three students this year, the Observer reported.
- DaBaby’s grandmother also grew up in the area, Durkin tells me. He said it was the rapper’s idea to join the festival crew at the school.
- “He was excited about it and said, ‘How can I help?'” Durkin tells me. “He said, ‘Let’s take it to the next level.'”
Zoom in: Lovin’ Life is on track to draw 25,000 to 30,000 attendees a day. That’s better than expected for ticket sales, Durkin says.