VCU gets Nasty at Tiny Desk Concert

Joshua Miklos, Contributing Writer 

The VCU Activities Programming Board hosted musical artist and rapper Rico Nasty for its Tiny Desk Concert event on April 25, according to the APB Rams Connect. 

“This was really a dream come true. We had had a lot of ups and downs over the past few years — coming back from COVID and just trying to stay afloat and really just introduce socializing back again into the campus, to the students,” said Jalen Copeland, a fourth-year communication arts student. “We wanted to show the students what is possible with teamwork, with dedication and persistence. We wanted the students to have something like this.”

APB also organized the opportunity for students to have a meet-and-greet with Nasty.

“When they actually said yes, it was like ‘Oh my gosh, this is quite insane!’” Copeland said.

For members of APB, this event was a chance to do something fun and exciting during a stressful point in the year, according to Copeland.

“We just wanted to make sure they were interested again and excited about being in school. The big things that I find to have loaded my experience here were the events like this,” Copeland said.

It turned out VCU had quite the dedicated Nasty fanbase as a line of hopeful students snaked through the Commons Plaza and down Main Street well before 4:30 p.m. for a chance to meet her, even though the concert began at 7 p.m.

“A concert is really made by the crowd, so I’m hoping everyone is very excited like we are. Bring the energy, that’s all I’ve got to say,” said Tejahnnah Chavis, a fourth-year health science student.

Nasty is an icon when it comes to students with an interest in fashion, according to second-year fashion design student Makai Kamil Gillis.

“Rico Nasty is definitely a symbol of self-expression, which I feel is what fashion is all about. She’s always continuously been herself and that just shows through her clothes,” Gillis said.

Third-year fashion merchandising student Kalani Coleman said fashion is “most definitely” a part of Nasty’s appeal. 

“I think having a representation of somebody that stands up for themselves, no matter how they want to express themselves, having that representation so close to you is amazing,” Coleman said.

The long line of students also expressed how Nasty is a source of representation in the fashion and music industries, especially for alternative Black culture, according to second-year chemistry student Darrin Coleman.

“I think she’s a general force in the fashion industry, period. She represents a more alternative side, specifically in Black culture, which you don’t always get to see. So I think in that aspect she’s an icon,” said fourth-year fashion merchandising student Greyson Foster.

Wearing a student-designed VCU t-shirt, Nasty stood for pictures and autographs with VCU students for about 45 minutes. 

“It’s a really cool opportunity,” said Jacob Simpson, a second-year philosophy student. “I’m not gonna find something like this again anytime soon. Even though I’m really busy with finals, I figured why not just make time for it. I got like three pictures with her. She was nice, her team was nice.”

Nasty met with so many fans, taking requests for poses, signing XOXO in gold Sharpie and hugging everyone who came up to her. 

“I freaked out because I love Nasty. I love her music. I love her style. Just everything about her. She’s an icon, she is everything,” said Sensi Carter, a first-year fashion merchandising student.

With opening acts, Jay Irvine, Bella Pam and Noloxm, from within our very own VCU community, students gathered with an intense energy in Commons Plaza to hear Nasty perform.

By the time Nasty arrived, the crowd was loud and energetic. She put on an engaging show, interacting with the crowd, debuting new music and playing her hits to find die-hard fans in the audience. 

Students are encouraged to attend upcoming events hosted by the Activities Programming Board. For more information on upcoming events, visit the APB Rams Connect.