Rapper Wiz Khalifa will take the stage at the Rotunda next month as the headliner of the Social Planning and Events Committee to Represent Undergraduate Minorities fall show.
Khalifa broke the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 in 2008 with techno-influenced single “Say Yeah” and has since put out a 2009 album Deal or No Deal and a heavily downloaded mixtape, Kush and Orange Juice.
“He could very well be on the stage for Spring Fling, so we’re excited to bring him in the fall,” SPEC President and Wharton senior Adam Thompson said. Wiz Khalifa was one of three headliners of Columbia University’s version of Spring Fling, Bacchanal, last April.
Khalifa’s sound is similar to “a much more chill B.O.B.,” SPEC Treasurer and Engineering senior Chris Setian said.
Thompson said they are pleased to host the show in the Rotunda — a more “intimate” venue — where the SPEC fall concert and SPEC Jazz and Grooves fall concert were also hosted this month. Past SPEC-TRUM shows have been hosted in Zellerbach or Irvine Auditoriums.
Mississippi-based hip-hop musician and producer Big K.R.I.T. will also perform.
Students familiar with Khalifa had mixed reviews.
College sophomore Aki Bajulaiye was happy with the choice. “A lot of people still don’t know about him, but a year from now, he’s going to be a big influence,” he said.
“I feel like only certain people would like it based on what he speaks about,” College sophomore Jessie Culley said, explaining that he raps about “real issues in a satirical manner.”
Other students hadn’t heard of the performer.
College sophomore Randy Rayess wasn’t familiar with Khalifa, but looked up his music and felt that the show will “have a good vibe.”
Gina Ah-Fenne, a Wharton freshman from Thailand, said “he wouldn’t appeal to me that much if he is just rap.”
Last year’s show brought in hip-hop duo The Clipse, Mike Posner, Big Sean and Penn alumnus and Fall Fest 2010 headliner Hoodie Allen. Previous years have seen Wale and The Roots.
The show is scheduled for Nov. 12. Tickets are $15 and go on sale to PennCard holders the first week of November.
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