Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Kid Cudi has sold over 4.6 million digital singles over the course of his career. To a see a musician of his magnitude, fans may need to travel to a major metropolitan city like Chicago or Indianapolis, but for University students who have tickets to see him on Saturday at Assembly hall, this is not the case.
Andi Schlehuber, freshman in LAS, is one student who holds a ticket to Saturday’s show. She recently started listening to Kid Cudi, and this will be the first time she sees him live.
“I think it’s really cool that we have a place that can house such famous, big-named artists, and that they want to come here to perform,” Schlehuber said.
Kid Cudi is no stranger to the University. The concert will be the alternative hip-hop artist’s third appearance in Champaign in the past three years, as he also performed at Assembly Hall in 2010 and again in 2011 for the PINK Nation Fighting Illini Fest outdoor concert,
Jennifer Larson, assistant athletic director for sales and marketing at Assembly Hall, said Kid Cudi’s tour management contacted the University about the possibility of bringing him back to Assembly Hall to promote his upcoming album “Indicud,” set to be released April 23.
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“He’s been here before and done very well, and with an upcoming album, Kid Cudi is looking to perform for the college market,” Larson said.
Though not attending the concert, Jenny Skow, junior in LAS, is a fan of Kid Cudi. Her favorite part of the singer-songwriter’s music is his lyrics because they are different from most mainstream music, she said.
“I feel that (Kid Cudi’s lyrics) are more meaningful and heartfelt than other rappers,” Skow said.
David Prager, freshman in DGS, said he is looking forward to the release of “Indicud,” and hopes the new album will mirror the previous two, “Man on the Moon: The End of Day” and “Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.”
“Usually, you don’t want to say this, but more of the same thing is going to be fine with me because I like the music right now,” Prager said. “So (I hope he) keeps on making that type of music.”
Jordan Zakery, sophomore in LAS, said he believes Kid Cudi’s ability to transcend different cultures and socioeconomic classes with his music is one of the main reasons for his widespread popularity.
“What makes Kid Cudi so unique is the culture of his followers,” Zakery said.
Larson said that tickets to Saturday’s show are still available, and can be purchased through the Illinois Ticket Office at Assembly Hall. Ticket costs range from $32 to $45, and University students can receive a $5 discount.
Jed can be reached at [email protected].
