Homecoming show far from Common

Oct. 31 - Hip-hop artist Common played at the newly renovated Memorial Hall on Sunday night and proved to be one of the more memorable acts ever to kick off Homecoming.

"I don't even remember the Homecoming concert a couple of years ago," said senior Eric Gardner. "I'm pretty impressed they got Common."

UNC alumnus Kaze and DJ 9th Wonder also appeared on stage, opening for the rapper.

"Stand up, this is a hip-hop function," Kaze said to fire up the crowd. "Let's turn this 1,500 seat Memorial Hall into a sweaty jukebox joint."

No one sat down while the music played, and Memorial Hall got a mainstream hip-hop makeover.

Jonathon Benson, president of the Carolina Union Activities Board, said that the event turned out to be everything he had hoped and that he was impressed with how well organizers worked together.

The concert was a collaboration between the Carolina Athletic Association and CUAB.

"This is the start of even more things to come," said Benson. "I want to have more big shows in this place, and I want to stress big in quality.

"If you can sell out in three days, you are doing something right."

If the reaction to Sunday's concert was any indication, that goal should be well received.

After Common was introduced by CUAB and the CAA, the theater went dark, and the audience held up their cell phones. Common was greeted by hundreds of blue lights while he launched into his first song, "Be."

Common didn't waste any time after that. He jumped offstage, ran down the aisles and humped an amplifier during "Go."

The size of the venue made the show seem more personal, and the rapper's nonchalant manner echoed through his performance.

He told stories, tied his shoe in the middle of songs and danced with audience members.

During "Come Close," Common invited junior Christine Thomas to come up on stage. And after some bumping 'n' grinding, the rapper serenaded Thomas.

"I usually like to take my time," Common said.

"But not tonight."

After that display, which few other artists ever could pull off, the rapper freestyled about the University. He gave shout-outs to Ehringhaus Residence Hall, Sean May, Time-Out restaurant, Franklin Street, Michael Jordan and some guy's shirt in the front row.

The end of the concert got more serious. He played the piano at one point, and at the end of "The Food," he looked down at the audience and said, "Thank you."

The crowd was still cheering even after the lights came back on.

CAA President Justin Johnson said that he hoped everyone would remember this Homecoming and that he was glad the University got its No. 1 choice.

"Everyone should be proud of this," Johnson said. "This has the potential to be the best Homecoming concert in a long time."

 

Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.