Fabolous selected as only performer at Homecoming

UNC will host hip-hop artist Fabolous, who has had several successful singles in the last eight years, for Sunday’s Homecoming concert.

Fabolous, born John Jackson, gained acclaim from the 2001 song “Can’t Deny It,” and more recently “Make Me Better.”

The announcement came later than most years’ and coincides with the start of ticket sales. In past years, the bands have been announced as early as September.

Tickets are on sale to students for $15 and open to the general public on Thursday for $30.

The selection came after many students said they wanted a hip-hop or rap artist to perform, said Amanda Kao, president of Carolina Union Activities Board and member of the selection committee.

Courtney Brown, Homecoming director and member of the selection committee, said they wanted the act to appeal to a broad group.

“Homecoming concert should be something people get excited about. It should be someone people know,” she said.

In past years, students have camped out for tickets. This year, people can purchase tickets online at memorialhall.unc.edu or at the Memorial Hall box office.

“We don’t like it when we have to always monitor the lines for Homecoming tickets,” Kao said. “It’s unsafe and a real pain in the butt for students.”

CUAB and the Carolina Athletic Association collaborate to determine the Homecoming act.

For the past two years, two acts have played for Homecoming, but Brown and Kao said they thought Fabolous was a big enough act that it was worth having only one show.

“He’s a name that people know, and he’s been around for a while. He’s not a one-hit wonder,” Brown said.

Kao said this year the announcement was delayed because several artists raised their prices, and as they came closer to the date, few artists still had availability.

“Unfortunately, this year it got a little out of hand because many of the artists weren’t available at this time, and some of the artists we were looking at were out of our price range,” she said.

Zoey LeTendre, program adviser for CUAB, said it’s difficult to find bands that are affordable yet still high quality. “Our end of the money hasn’t changed, but we definitely are seeing that bands are asking more,” she said.

LeTendre would not say how much it cost to bring in Fabolous.

Students have generally expressed excitement about the act, though some questioned his relevance.

“I like some of his new songs. I feel like I’m going to go support it because it’s Homecoming,” said senior Brittany Nichols. “He’s not my favorite artist, but I’m going to support it because it’s UNC.”

Others said they recognized his work but weren’t excited.

“Fabolous wasn’t relevant since the seventh grade,” senior Alen Makitan said.

Some students said that Homecoming has provided good variety. Previous years have brought rock, country and hip-hop groups.

“I would entertain it,” said junior Tyrone Sampson of attending the concert. “It’s a nice change.”



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