CIAA 2012: Celebrity Watch
The list of stars appearing in Charlotte while the CIAA Tournament is here just keeps getting bigger
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is built on tradition. The CIAA, as a league, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Its basketball tournament is in its 67th year. And now that the weeklong tournament is being held in Charlotte for the seventh consecutive year, a new tradition has been solidified: boatload of celebrities in town.
It didn’t seem as if it would top last year’s impressive list, but the party promoters have outdone themselves this year with the number of A-list and B-list (and C) celebrities they’re paying wads of cash to appear at events during 2012 CIAA Week, February 27 to March 4. The list of celebrities, which you’ll find below, is dominated by famous rappers and R&B singers, but there are a few actors, actresses, and reality TV stars appearing as well.
Some of these celebrities—like Doug E. Fresh, Jermaine Dupri, Young Jeezy, and others—have become staples in Charlotte during CIAA Week, appearing year after year. And some want to make sure you have as many opportunities as possible to see them—Rick Ross, R. Kelly, Gucci Mane, etc.—by appearing at two, three, or even four parties over the course of three days or so. But take heed: similar to the advice I gave you about partying during CIAA Week, not all of these artists will be performing; some are only hosting parties. And more importantly to look out for, several promoters are putting a rapper’s entire crew on the flyer, when only one particular member is appearing—in some cases just his DJ.
Here’s the list of celebrities who are scheduled to appear in Charlotte during 2012 CIAA Week, according to event info I’ve received (listed in alphabetical order by first name).
- 2 Chainz
- 9th Wonder
- Ace Hood
- Anthony David
- Anthony Hamilton
- Avant
- Big Daddy Kane
- Big Tigger
- Biz Markie
- Boyz II Men
- Carl Thomas
- Charlamagne Tha God
- Chris Brown
- Chubb Rock
- Chuck Brown
- CoCo
- Common
- Diddy
- DJ Drama
- DJ Envy
- DJ Green Lantern
- DJ Jazzy Jeff
- DJ Kid Capri
- Doug E. Fresh
- En Vogue
- Eric Roberson
- Estelle
- Fabolous
- Floyd Mayweather
- French Montana
- Future
- Ginuwine
- Gucci Mane
- Ice T
- Idris Elba
- Jermaine Dupri
- Jim Jones
- Juelz Santana
- Lance Gross
- Laz Alonzo
- The Manhattans
- Maxwell
- Meek Mill
- First Lady Michelle Obama
- Morris Chestnut
- Nas
- NeNe Leakes
- The O’Jays
- Omarion
- Pusha T
- Ray J
- R. Kelly
- Rick Ross
- Rickey Smiley
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Sheree Whitfield
- Sunshine Anderson
- Tami Roman
- Tank
- Terrence J
- T.I.
- Travis Porter
- Trick Daddy
- Trina
- Tyrese
- Vivian Green
- Waka Flocka
- Wale
- Whodini
- Yandy Smith
- Yo Gotti
- Yolanda Adams
- Young Dro
- Young Guru
- Young Jeezy
Keep a Sharpie handy!
Follow Charlotte magazine contributing writer and blogger Jarvis Holliday on Twitter @HollidayInk.
