CIAA 2012: Celebrity Watch

The list of stars appearing in Charlotte while the CIAA Tournament is here just keeps getting bigger

Hip hop moguls T.I. and Diddy are among the dozens of celebrities scheduled to appear at parties in Charlotte during CIAA Week.

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.

For more of our comprehensive coverage of the 2012 CIAA Tournament, including an events and parties list, stories, and photos, visit www.charlottemagazine.com/ciaa.