members to tears.
Photographer: Blakeley Loyola, The Pioneer
Hip-hop phenomenon Lupe Fiasco and Miguel headlined this year’s annual Springfest concert, bringing with them an immense amount of energy amid hundreds of eager faces for over four hours at the CSU East Bay Amphitheatre on Saturday.
Headlined by two Grammy-nominated artists, the concert put on by Associated Students Inc. (ASI) was hosted by radio personality Lady Ray from Bay Area hip-hop and R&B station 106 KMEL as well as Prentice Powell, a spoken word artist from Oakland who is in his third year hosting the event.
“The energy was dope. I think the draw was really well,” he related. “It obviously was a success.”
Fiasco performed with swagger as he began his performance with songs off of his latest album “Lasers,” such as the debut single “Words I Never Said” and “I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now.”
The audience waved their hands in the air in unison as he spit out the quizzical lyrics that have long made him a fan favorite.
During the middle of his set, Fiasco brought up a woman by the name of “RHOyal Fiasco,” who was attending her 25th Fiasco concert, and dedicated “Out of My Head” to one of his biggest fans.
The audience got really into the set when Fiasco began to perform songs off of his first two albums such as the Grammy winning track “Daydreamin,” which he closed his set with, along with the fast paced track “Go Go Gadget Flow.”
The fans sang back the lyrics to Fiasco and an audience member even asked Fiasco if he would have his child.
Fiasco denied requests for interviews from The Pioneer, saying he “doesn’t do interviews,” in addition to clearing the stage from any students and those with media access.
with energetic dance moves.
Photographer: Joseph Geha, The Pioneer
R & B singer Miguel was the one who set the stage for Fiasco. His smooth vocals combined with high-energy performance and that signature faux hawk led to what many believed was the best performance of the day.
The singer said he anticipated the crowd would be excited before his performance.
“If it’s anything like the Bay love we’ve gotten out here since the very first time I’ve came then I’m happy,” Miguel told The Pioneer.
Many of Miguel’s female fans screamed during his raunchy and often time provocative performances, and in some cases cried while the singer serenaded the crowd with his love songs.
At one point of the performance, a crazed fan tossed red-laced panties at the Grammy-nominated singer, which he ignored and continued performing, while others held up a sign expressing their love for the Los Angeles native.
“I would love to come back, hopefully we do it next year,” the singer expressed.
Artists King Louie and Austin Brown opened up the event while Bay Area natives HBK, also known as the Heartbreak Gang, performed before the headliners.
ASI President Chris Prado explained as the event keeps growing he would love to see artists of this caliber perform at future Springfests.
“I think, like most students, I would love to see a lineup of my favorite hip-hop artists which would be way over the budget allocated for concert expenditures,” he explained.
“Springfest is a great annual event to have,” Powell explained. “It brings a lot of people together who wouldn’t necessarily be together if it wasn’t for these artists.”
