102 JAMZ SuperJam
102 JAMZ' SuperJam is an annual summer concert starring some of the hottest artists in hip hop that is hosted by Urban Contemporary radio station WJMH (102 JAMZ)/Greensboro, North Carolina. The show has been held at the 20,000+ seat Greensboro Coliseum every year.
Ever since it launched the event in 1997, 102 JAMZ has presented SuperJam, which attracts thousands of listeners from North Carolina and southern Virginia, with numerous annual attendees traveling from locations throughout the United States. As of 2007, all 11 SuperJam concerts have been sellout events.
SuperJam performing artists
The station's debut summer show, SuperJam, took place Friday night, June 20, 1997, at Greensboro Coliseum in front of 20,000 fans and featured Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim, OutKast, Lost Boyz, SWV, Freak Nasty and others. Successive annual SuperJams have included artists such as Jay-Z, Ludacris, Diddy, T.I., Bow Wow, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Three 6 Mafia, N.O.R.E., Young Jeezy, LL Cool J, Ying Yang Twins, Nas, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, Big Pun, Cam'Ron, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh, Yung Joc, Dru Hill, Dem Franchize Boyz, Jermaine Dupree, Trina, Redman, Petey Pablo, 112, Trillville, Elephant Man, Trick Daddy, DJ Kool, Chingy, Jagged Edge, Da Brat and many, many more.
SuperJam logistics
All SuperJam concerts have taken place on Friday nights in late June and have been held at Greensboro Coliseum. Showtime has remained 7:30 PM, throughout. The entire 102 JAMZ airstaff, the 102 JAMZ Mix Squad and the JAMZ Street Team have actively participated in each event, hosting during the time between acts and emceeing during Mix Squad intervals. Since SuperJam VII, the 102 JAMZ Dancers, led by Lady C of Sunday night's 11:00 Reggae Jamz show, have performed a choreographed routine between acts during each SuperJam.
Most 102 JAMZ SuperJam concerts have been numbered consecutively, with the exception of the 1st (simply called SuperJam), the 4th (SuperJam 2000) and the 11th (again referred to officially as SuperJam, but sometimes identified internally as SuperJam 2007 or SuperJam XI).
SuperJam ticket prices have consistently remained significantly lower than other music concerts, from the beginning. The 2007 performance featured tickets at $10, $15, and $25, with a few VIP floor seats at $28.50. As Program Director, Brian Douglas, explains, "SuperJam is one of the best ways we're able to give back and say thanks to our listeners every year. With concert tickets at $50 or more for good shows, SuperJam has always been about offering more acts for less money. We want every listener to be able to afford a ticket... then, we want every show to be one they'll remember."
102 JAMZ' SuperJam Block Party
Since 1999, each SuperJam concert has been preceded by a 102 JAMZ Block Party, hosted by the station's afternoon personality (originally Boogie D, now Big Tap Money). These "party before the party" events, originally held outside the coliseum and more recently in the Greensboro Coliseum Pavilion, feature hundreds of ticket upgrades, impromptu performances by the night's talent lineup and live, interactive artist interviews. SuperJam Block Parties are carried live on 102 JAMZ, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, to set the stage for the show and get the listeners ready for the concert.
SuperJam background
According to the programming staff, planning for each year's SuperJam begins in "Jam-Uary" (January). Brian Douglas states that inspiration for the creation of the SuperJam concept arose from two sources... exposure to annual summer concerts put together by a radio station in his native Florida during his youth (WAPE, Jacksonville's Big Ape Conventions and Big Ape Shower of Stars) and 102 JAMZ' experiment with a modified summer concert in 1996. This outdoor event, billed as Busta Brown Bingo, was presented as part of a contest in which featured afternoon personality Busta Brown skydived onto a random block in a squared-off area to award a station contestant $10,000. As incentive for others to attend, the station assembled acts to perform, including Junior M.A.F.I.A. with Lil' Kim, 112, Bahamadia and Nonchalant. Attendance was strong and listeners responded positively to the concept, setting the stage for the original SuperJam, one year later.
SuperJam (2007)
The 11th annual SuperJam concert took place Friday night, June 29th, 2007 and featured Young Jeezy, Yung Joc, Crime Mob, Lloyd, DJ Unk, M.I.M.S., Rich Boy, and Omarion. On stage activity was non-stop, with air peronality/audience interaction, Mix Squad sets, the 102 JAMZ Dancers, plus giveaways of a set of rims, cash and SuperJam shirts bridging the short gaps between the acts.
SuperJam XII (2008)
Tickets for the 12th annual SuperJam went on sale Friday, May 16th. The concert is Friday, June 27th at 7:30pm. On Friday, May 31st, Plies (rapper) came to 102 JAMZ to announce that he would be performing at SuperJam. He also announced The Dream and Dolla as confirmed acts and promised more to come.
References
- Personal Interviews: Brian Douglas, WJMH Program Director, September 1, 1990 to present (last interviewed 2007)
- Personal Interviews: Tap Money, WJMH Assistant Program Director (interviewed 2007)