By DYLAN LATORE – Hip-hop powerhouse and entertainment rockstar, Lil Uzi Vert, is coming in concert soon, and it’s much closer than you think. For IUP’s homecoming concert 2k17, our local university has booked Uzi to perform for this year’s homecoming concert at the KCAC on Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 pm.
This is a somewhat impressive feat for our smaller university, especially because of how big of a name the young rapper has made for himself after both appearing on #1 Billboard hit “Bad and Boujee” and producing his own #1 chart-topper “XO Tour Lif3.” While Uzi has his own already well-known hits, the artist has also recently dropped his first debut studio album: Luv is Rage 2, which follows the rapper’s hit mixtape: Luv is Rage.
Already, the studio album has earned its top place on the Billboard hits, with a large portion of the album securing their own top 10 spots.
To say the least, there is a lot of hype built up for his performance. The general consensus on the album is scattered. Senior Nathan Hilliard stated, “The album was hard, but I like the first Luv Is Rage better, while almost every song on the new album is listenable, Uzi definitely has changed.”
Uzi has been described in the past as one of the most lively and exciting performers in the hip-hop industry, even being known for stunts such as climbing the scaffolding of stages and leaping into the crown from them. The aura he brings on stage with him immediately transfers into the crowd. Junior Mikail Bajwa stated, “I think he (Uzi) personally made the album more for himself than just to make a ton of money, he personally enjoys the music on this one a lot more. As for the concert, it’s definitely gonna be crazy.”
The general consensus among many IUP and IHS students is that it will be very easy for Uzi to top last year’s IUP Homecoming concert, headlined by Pittsburgh-raised rapper, Mac Miller. Miller was almost an hour late to his set and put on a less than lively show for a crowd of extremely rowdy college students.
Senior Will Luetkehans described the show as, “Not that great, not even close to some of the better shows I’ve been to.” Speaking from personal experience, the concert was not as bad as some may say, but even still, I have high hopes for Uzi’s ability to light up the Kovalchik center for one exciting night.
[Photo by Dylan Latore]
Photo Caption: “Seniors Nathan Hilliard and Brandon Brocious listening to Uzi’s new album”
