Bruin Bash promises another star night.
Following an announcement post with a vintage drive-in aesthetic and a desert theme promo, UCLA Campus Events Commission and Cultural Affairs Commission announced Smino as this year’s Bruin Bash headliner. Including performances from DJ Rio Amor and rapper BunnaB, the annual start-of-the-year concert will take place Sept. 21 at 8 pm at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
On Thursday, Rio Amor was the first artist announced for this year’s lineup. The DJ rose into popularity after her performances at the music festival Camp Flog Gnaw. In 2023, Rio Amor was the opener for AG Club’s set. The following year, Amor performed her own set on the main stage as the festival’s opener. Catching the attention of rapper Lil Yachty, Amor was recently announced as a new collaborator for Concrete Boy’s upcoming project, “It’s Us Vol. 2” – the hip hop collective founded by the rapper.
Making a detour from her “Ice Cream Girl Road Trip” tour for a quick stop at UCLA, BunnaB was next to be announced as Bruin Bash’s opener. The Atlanta rapper is known for her hit songs “Innit,” “Mad Again” and “Bunna Summa,” with the latest earning over 4 million weekly streams since its release. With a sound reminiscent of “Atlanta’s summer of 2009,” BunnaB’s genuine and fun anthems are sure to build up the energy this Sunday night.
Rob49 is this year’s direct support. The New Orleans rapper’s announcement closely followed BunnaB’s. The rapper has gained popularity from his song “WTHELLY,” the lead single for his album “Let Me Fly,” which earned him his first spot on the Billboard 200. With upbeat production and energetic delivery, the rapper has become a favorite among music fans and fellow artists. Rob49 has been praised and approached by figures such as Latto, Big Sean and Justin Bieber, all of whom are looking to collaborate with the rapper.
The headliner for Bruin Bash 2025 was announced today at noon. Smino is a rapper, singer-songwriter known for his blend of genres, from hip hop to funk and R&B. The rapper made his breakthrough in 2017 with his debut album “blkswn,” and since then has continued growing as an artist with songs such as “Tree” featuring Lil Wayne. Smino, who has over 3 million monthly listeners, is also the founder of hip hop collective Zero Fatigue. Earlier this month, he released “Mr Popular” in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Venna.
Bruin Bash is returning to LATC after going back to Pauley Pavilion last year. Floor tickets went on sale Monday, Sept. 15, and bowl tickets went live the next day, with some technical difficulties. Both drops sold out in less than an hour.
