campus

Artists Are Announced for SpringFest 2012

By Lamonte Dewindt
Campus Editor

Photographer: Courtesy Niel Dorgan

Lupe Fiasco headlines SpringFest 2012.

Grammy nominated artist Lupe Fiasco will headline this year’s SpringFest, accompanied by R&B singer Miguel, Austin Brown, King Louie and the HBK gang.

Sponsored by Associated Students Inc. (ASI), SpringFest is scheduled for May 19, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

ASI released a confirmed artist every day during finals week last quarter, starting with King Louie and ending with the headliner Lupe Fiasco.

“Selecting artists for our campus is all about creating the best show and attempting to attract the largest potential crowd that is reflective of our diverse student-body,” said ASI President Chris Prado.

Pre-sale ticket prices are starting at $5 for students and $25 for general admission until April 20, when prices will then be raised to $10 for students and $30 for general admission.

If pre-sale tickets are not sold out, tickets will still be sold at the door at the price of $15 for students and $35 for general admission.

According to the Facebook event page, a venue has not been selected for the concert.

It has been assumed that ASI adjusted the prices to prevent another incident such as the cancellation of Bayfest on Feb. 22 due to ASI selling more tickets than the procured venue could hold.

Fiasco has released three studio albums with his latest, “Lasers,” selling 200,000 copies its first week and, according to Billboard, peaked as the number one rap and hip-hop album.

Fiasco’s latest single “Out of My Head” featuring R&B singer Trey Songz peaked at number five on Billboard’s rap songs list.

CSU East Bay students could not hold back their excitement on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook when they were told about Fiasco performing.

CSUEB student Minnie Uppall posted on the SpringFest event page, “OMGGG LUPE FIASCO!!!!!!!!!”

Miguel, another artist secured for SpringFest, is a producer-turned-singer whose debut album, “All I Want Is You,” peaked at number nine on Billboard.

His debut single of the same title, which features former CSUEB performer J. Cole, peaked at number one on Billboard’s Heatseekers Songs.

Last year, Miguel released his second single “Sure Thing,” which peaked at number one on multiple Billboard lists.

“I’m so excited now that Miguel is going to be there,” expressed CSUEB student Maria Thompson on the Facebook event page.

The third SpringFest performer, Austin Brown, is less established, though he is signed to Interscope Records and has plans to release two albums this year, titled “85’” and “Highway to the Sky.”

The Heartbreak Gang, also known as the HBK gang, was set to perform at BayFest before it was cancelled, though have been signed on again to perform at SpringFest.

The group expressed how upset they were about not being able to perform at CSUEB for BayFest, as well as their excitement for the chance to make it up to their fans.

The final performer King Louie, who is a rapper from Southside Chicago, is releasing an album this year.

This entry was published in The Pioneer Online on Thursday, April 5th, 2012 at 12:01 pm.