Rapper Busta Rhymes will headline Friday night’s Dandelion Day concert, UR Concerts announced on Monday, April 22.
Clinton Sparks, a DJ, recording artist, Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer, and TV/radio personality, will open the show. Busta Rhymes, who has also worked as a producer and actor, is well known for his complex, fast-paced lyrics. He has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and 10 MTV Video Music Awards.
“I feel like we got really lucky getting Busta Rhymes because he’s so well known,” UR Concerts co-president and senior Emily Dunn said.
UR Concerts co-president and senior Devin Embil is similarly pleased.
“Out of all the options we went through, Busta Rhymes is a very solid choice,” he said.
UR Concerts put in bids for 10-12 artists of different genres, and Busta Rhymes’ contract was confirmed about three weeks ago.
Busta Rhymes was the only artist who accepted UR Concert’s bids, in part because, given that Coachella was last weekend, many artists are still on the West coast, Embil explained. Dunn and Embil would not disclose the other options that were considered, but Dunn explained that although the group understands they will never be able to find an artist who appeals to everyone, it always tries to stick with a high-energy act that will get people dancing.
Recent D-Day performers have included OK GO, Super Mash Bros., and Jack’s Mannequin. Busta Rhymes is the first rap artist to perform at the festivities in about five years.
Embil also noted that UR Concerts typically brings in up-and-coming performers, but that “Busta’s a little different from our trend” because he’s an established artist.
Busta Rhymes released his first album, “The Coming,” in 1996, which included his break-out single, “Woo Ha!! Got You All in Check.” More recently, he has collaborated with artists including Chris Brown and David Guetta.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m., an hour earlier than last year. Embil believes the late start time negatively affected the show because it is colder later in the evening, and students are tired by the time it starts. He suggested that the concert begin at 5 p.m. this year, but the D-Day planning committee decided to stick with a later slot.
Monday’s announcement was met with mixed reactions — the most common concern, it seems, is that Busta Rhymes is an outdated act, but Dunn and Embil disagree.
“He’s been around since the 1990s but has continued to be a successful artist to the present date,” Dunn said.
Embil also noted that even if students don’t prefer rap, they will probably know of an artist he has collaborated with.
“I’m extremely excited,” senior Galen Dole said. “He was a staple of the ’90s.”
Sophomore Marz Saffore was less enthused. She said she is a little disappointed, given that Busta Rhymes isn’t as popular today as he was in his heyday, but doesn’t know what to expect. Despite her doubts, she is trying to be optimistic.
“Everyone’s going to be drunk, so it’s not going to matter,” she said. “At least it’ll be fun to jam to.”
D-Day will also feature a petting zoo, giant trike race course, and other activities.
Goldin is a member of the class of 2013.
