Sexyy Red headlines FAU Bonfire Music Fest with over 3,650 tickets sold
“SkeeYee” echoed across Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus as rapper Sexyy Red took the stage Friday night on the Student Union outdoor stage for the 17th annual Bonfire Music Fest hosted by Program Board.
This year’s event marked a return to the festival’s rap roots after last year’s EDM performance by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, also known as DJ Diesel, who headlined the same stage. Bonfire’s gates were open at 6 p.m. with a live set by DJ Thunder, setting the stage before the highly anticipated headliner at 9 p.m.
For some students, the excitement began long before the music started. FAU freshman Sadie Palazzolo, who lives on campus, said she had been looking forward to the night for weeks.
“I’m so excited to be here, I’m excited to sing Sexyy Red, and ready to dance,” Palazzolo said. “I’ve been preparing for this for weeks, so I was excited I could just walk out of my door and come down.”
The first drop of 2,950 free student tickets on Aug. 20 sold out within hours, leaving many students who couldn’t secure a spot disappointed. In response to the high demand, the Program Board made a surprise second release of 700 tickets on the day of Bonfire, Sept. 5.
FAU freshman Jerika White said she was determined to get into Bonfire from the very beginning, securing her ticket during the first drop on Aug. 20.
“As soon as I heard Sexyy Red was this year’s performer, I set an alarm on my phone to make sure I got a ticket,” White said. “I dragged my roommate here with me; I couldn’t miss out on this.”
The long, humid wait for Red’s performance took a toll on some attendees, with several students being carried out by staff after passing out.
Despite the incidents that occurred, the crowd’s energy didn’t fade while they waited for the headliner. The Program Board requested a “radio-friendly” performance, but Red’s setlist included songs with explicit language. She performed popular songs like “Get It Sexyy” and “U My Everything.”
Madison Sakin, assistant director for Programs and Traditions, previously told the University Press that Sexyy Red was the Program Board’s third booking attempt. Sakin could not give an exact price, but said Red’s contract cost $150,000 more than last year’s deal with O’Neal.
In recent years, Bonfire has welcomed a wide range of artists, including DJ Diesel in 2024, Coi Leray in 2023, Nelly in 2022, and Flo Rida in 2021. Camili Diaz, a sophomore at FAU, who also attended last year’s Bonfire Music Fest, said this year’s performance stood out in comparison.
“Last year’s performance was good, but nothing can top Sexyy Red’s energy; it’s just unmatched,” Diaz said. “I honestly don’t know how they can top her for next year.”
Jada Strayer is the Political Reporter for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email jstrayer2023@fau.edu or direct message her @jadastrayer on Instagram.
Latest University Press
- Football: Florida Atlantic bounces back with shutout victory over Florida A&M, 56-14Florida Atlantic football left no doubt in its home opener Saturday night, coming back to Boca Raton with the same goal they left it with: winning. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp’s five-touchdown performance and receptions from Easton Messer, Dominique Henry, Asaad Waseem, and Lawrence Johnson all heavily contributed to the Owls’ success last night. Zach Kittley also...
- Gallery: Divided crowd protests at FAU over ICE 287(g) programThe Breezeway at Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus was filled with students from both the FAU College Democrats and Turning Point USA at FAU, two student political organizations. The center of discussion was around U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) immigration enforcement program. In July, the FAU Police Department signed the agreement that would...
- Gallery: Sexyy Red’s 2025 Bonfire Music Fest performanceThe self-proclaimed “Hood Hottest Princess” hit the stage on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus Friday night for the annual Program Board Bonfire Music Fest, bringing her iconic red hair and unapologetic energy. Sexyy Red delivered a fully explicit setlist, performing her hottest hits such as “Pound Town” and “SkeeYee.”
- ‘Campus, not prison’: FAU students protest ICE collaboration on campusDozens of community members marched through the Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton campus’ Breezeway on Sept. 5 in protest of the university’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the 287(g) immigration enforcement program. From “We’re stronger together!” to “Campus, not prison!” marchers chanted as they made their way through the campus. With the protest...
- University Press staff predict a positive outcome for FAU’s football team vs. FAMUFlorida Atlantic might have been humbled in their season opener at Maryland, but don’t let that 39–7 scoreline fool you into thinking the Owls can’t bounce back, especially now that they are back on their home field. FAU is back home at the newly-named Flagler Credit Union Stadium, opening Week 2 to face the Florida...
- A behind-the-scenes look into Sexyy Red’s Bonfire dressing roomRapper Sexyy Red will headline Florida Atlantic University’s annual Bonfire Music Fest today. Still, before she hits the Boca Raton stage, she requested various simple yet interesting items for the Program Board organizers to stock her dressing room. The University Press received a copy of Sexyy Red’s hospitality requests from the FAU Program Board, which...