Southern Illinois University’s Homecoming celebration will take center stage on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when R&B sensation Mariah the Scientist headlines this year’s Homecoming concert from 7–9 p.m.
Mariah the Scientist — born Mariah Amani Buckles — is best known for her emotive songwriting and smooth, atmospheric sound. The Atlanta native first gained attention with her 2018 EP “To Die For,” followed by acclaimed albums “Master” in 2019, “Ry Ry World” in 2021, and her latest release, “Hearts Sold Separately” in 2025. The new record, featuring hits like “Burning Blue” and “Sacrifice,” positions her as a prominent figure in contemporary R&B due to her chart performances.
Behind the scenes of the Homecoming excitement is Joshua Jones, director of Homecoming concerts for the Student Programming Council, which is organizing the event. Jones said he was proud to lead the selection and planning process for this year’s lineup.
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While Jones had support from the SPC team, he explained that choosing the artist was ultimately his responsibility.
“I picked her because I knew how impactful she was to people around me and the students at my school,” he said. “She had recently dropped an album a couple months ago, so the timing was perfect. I felt like capitalizing on that momentum would be great — and honestly, we might not be able to afford her at this price point next year.”
Jones said he hopes Mariah will bring the same heartfelt energy to SIU that she pours into her music.
“She sings with a lot of passion and emotion,” he said. “That’s why people resonate with her songs — they’re able to relate to that in their own daily lives. I really want her to bring that same passion to the stage.”
In addition to Mariah’s headline performance, Jones revealed that an up-and-coming Chicago-based rapper named BabyChiefDoIt will open the show. Jones said that he hopes that the artist will bring a more upbeat, high-energy experience to the show that will complement Mariah’s soulful R&B style.
The announcement of Mariah’s performance has already sent waves of excitement across campus according to Jones, and he said students have been ecstatic.
Jones said this concert marks a new standard for what SPC hopes to deliver in the future. Ultimately, Jones said his goal is to create a lasting memory for students and the Carbondale community.
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“I want students to take away an experience they’ll never forget,” he said. “I want them to be able to look back and say, ‘Remember that time we saw Mariah the Scientist live at Homecoming?’ That’s what this is all about — creating something memorable for everyone.”
The Homecoming concert featuring Mariah the Scientist and BabyChiefDoIt will take place, Oct. 22, from 7–9 p.m. at Shryock Auditorium.
Purchase your tickets now on eventbrite.
Staff reporter Yahri Edmond can be reached at [email protected]
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