VCU Back to School Jam to feature high-profile artists
Des Letemps
Contributing writer
Virginia Commonwealth University has offered up something big for the first week of classes. Rappers B.o.B and Asher Roth are set to hit the Siegel Center for the free Back to School Concert this Saturday, August 28. VCU students with a valid ID can pick up free tickets in the Breakpoint Games Room since Aug. 21.
The show, sponsored by the Activities Programming Board, starts at 8 p.m. in the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
B.o.B, real name Bobby Ray Simmons, released B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray in April amidst the success of his single, “Nothing on You,” featuring Bruno Mars. The song climbed up the charts to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped his album see the same success on Billboard 200, as the album debuted in the top spot as well.
B.o.B’s mash-up “Airplanes,” featuring Paramore’s Hayley Williams, recently landed him a Teen Choice award for Hook-Up Song, one of six nominations. B.o.B has also been nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards. His latest single, “Magic,” features Rivers Cuomo of Weezer whimsically singing “I’ve got the magic” on the chorus. Other features on the album include T.I. and Lupe Fiasco.
“My perspective is just enjoying it and watching it unfold,” B.o.B told Billboard of his VMA nominations. He’s scheduled to take the stage at the annual event for the first time on September 12.
B.o.B’s success is no surprise – XXL magazine rated him as one of the top 10 new hip-hop artists of 2009, dubbing him and nine others “The 10 Freshmen.” Also among the ‘09 class was Asher Roth, whose song “I Love College” swept campuses across the nation.
Roth’s album Asleep in the Bread Aisle peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, and was accompanied by the nationwide Great Hangover Tour, which featured B.o.B. The album features artists such as Cee-Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley, Chester French and Keri Hilson.
Roth recently released a mixtape called Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry with DJ Wreckineyes, which has been well-received on the Internet while preparing for his sophomore album, The Spaghetti Tree, due out this year.
Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook were used to gather input from students about potential performers. The final decision was made by the The Programming Commission, which is comprised of students from various student organizations.
