Two views on VCU’s homecoming concert

Twista & Co bring students together

by James Galloway

VCU’s homecoming concert was a groovy accent to homecoming week. R&B artists Trey Songz, Twista, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana were the features of Friday night’s concert and working together, put on a crowd-pleasing show.

Petersburg, Va. native Trey Songz kicked things off with some stage antics that were as much fun to watch as they were to participate in. He hand-picked a group of women from the pit and brought them onstage. Before he sang to the beat, he whispered something to the first girl in line. There’s no telling what he said to her, but it provoked a very enticing dance between the two that set off the atmosphere of Songz’s entire set.

The women really seemed to like him, but all that aside there is a lot to be said for the range of his voice. Trey Songz gave an inspiring speech afterwards about following one’s dreams, and looking at the title of his first album, “I Gotta Make It,” you can see where it came from.

Twista was next on the ticket, and put the house on its feet. In 1991, after the release of “Runnin’ off at the Mouth” under the name Tung Twista, he was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as world’s fastest rapper. His speedy tongue and precise rhythms worked magic at pulling in the audience’s attention. He mentioned his most recent album, “The Day After,” and pleased the crowd with some singles from the LP, including the single he and Trey Songz did together, “Girl Tonight.”

The attitude had transformed by this time. The audience was clearly skeptical before the show.

“Twista may be the strongest attraction tonight,” Tiffany Stiles said, “and I’m not even sure about him.” Under stifling security, seats were filling slow and the show was a half hour late getting off the ground. By the halfway point, both Twista and Trey Songz had paid homage to Biggie and 2Pac and the tone had shifted from playful to groovy, meaningful waves of sound.

It was clear that this concert, like many others, wasn’t about one artist, but instead the chance for that fabled spark that ignites when you put a motley collection of talented people together onstage. The now-crowded stands were shaking in rhythm with the music, the bass was cutting through the air and dictated the sea of bodies swaying in unison. During that moment of solidarity in the middle of the show, the free energy was pulsing in four-four count. It could be felt flowing through the audience and it was then that the purpose of this concert revealed itself.

“You don’t go to a show so you can hear their CD live,” Dyshawn Thompson said afterwards. “You go for the vibes, for the atmosphere. Even if you don’t like the rappers, you can still feel them in there.”

After the climax of the show, underground gangsta rapper and explicit-lyrics strongman Jim Jones took the stage. When Twista stepped aside for Jim Jones, the crowd was in a very open mood, and Jones seemed to fit right in there. People were dancing and strangers were laughing together; just the kind of thing you like to see at these events. Jim Jones carried the party over to Juelz Santana. The East Coast hardcore rapper turned out to be “What the Game’s Been Missing” and gave us some infectious grooves to go home with.

At the end of the homecoming concert, all the groups got onstage together and sang. It was another positive display of attitude towards coming together and entertaining.

Dipset wins over skeptical crowd

by Courtney L.A. Seaborne

The homecoming concert featuring Trey Songz, Twista and Dipset had a great turnout. A lot of people came out to support the artists, have a good time and enjoy the show.

Did everyone enjoy the concert? It was obvious from the crowd’s reactions who stole the show and who didn’t.

Trey Songz started off the show. He is Virginia’s finest right out of Petersburg and the girls loved him. He definitely got a lot of screams, but there was a mixed reaction toward his performance.

He first came out with blue faded jeans, a white T-shirt and a yellow do-rag. By the time his performance was over, all he had on was his jeans (which the girls loved). At the beginning of his performance, he sang a lot of songs that a lot of people didn’t know. Closer to the end of his set he sang all the songs that everyone knew, songs like “I Don’t Wanna Leave” and “Just Gotta Make It,” which were both crowd-pleasers that got everyone up from their seats.

The highlight of his show was when he invited four girls on the stage to not only be seen by plenty but also to get an up close and personal feel of Trey Songz. His performance overall was OK. In the beginning, he got a huge response but there were some sitting in the crowd toward the middle. By the end, though, he had a huge response and the crowd was really into him. Especially the ladies.

Twista was the next performer. What is there to really say about this performer and performance? Was Twista hot or not? From the crowd’s unanimous decision he was defiantly not. Twista – as most of you may know – is known for his fast rhyming skills, but his performance wasn’t the best.

Since Twista raps so fast no one could really sing along, and Twista is a rapper who needs other rappers on his track to make a song hot. He proves this all the time with songs featuring artists like R. Kelly, Kanye West and Lil John. Those songs –especially the two with Kanye West– were hit makers, but everything else basically wasn’t.

Twista did a lot of songs that no one knew. The crowd’s response was a sight to see. From left to right, most of the floor seats were all consumed with people. Everyone was sitting. I even saw someone close their eyes.

Twista’s highlight was when he brought Trey Songz out to do a duet called “Girl Tonight.” For the most part, Twista was performing other people’s songs and gave a shout out to the fallen soldiers of hip-hop by playing their songs. He even forgot the lyrics to one of his own songs (which people in the crowd noticed).

Twista’s performance overall was really not a good one. Sorry Twista.

I guess the best is always last because it seemed like everyone was waiting for the last performer, Harlem’s own Dipset (minus Camron who was not present). As soon as Jim Jones came out onstage the crowd was ecstatic. Everyone was up screaming and reciting all the lyrics to “We Certified Gangstas.”

Soon after Juelz Santana came out, and what a sight it was to see. The girls were going crazy. It was funny because when Trey Songz came onstage it was just him. Twista had two other people on the stage, but those Dipset boys had at least 10 people onstage, all part of their crew and also the cutest little boy about two years old with long hair all in one ponytail. He really hyped up the crowd because he knew a lot of the words and was dancing back and forth onstage. Every song that Dipset sang got a huge response. There was definitely no sitting during Dipset’s performance. The crowd was roaring with both guys and girls dancing to all the tracks played.

They also brought Trey Songz out for a second time to do a duet, so I guess you can say that he was a hit. No one sat, everyone clapped, sang, danced and put their Dipset sign in the air as he defiantly took over the show. Dipset was the best performance of the night and it was proven by the audiences response.

Overall, the concert was a success thanks to Dipset and it really put students in the “school spirit” mindset. The roaring response was continued throughout the night as students partied hard and prepared for the next day’s homecoming game.