On Monday, UNC’s Carolina Union Activities Board made the last-minute announcement that hip-hop artist Fabolous will headline its Homecoming 2009 concert Sunday, Nov. 1, at Memorial Hall. Now, just days later, two members of Student Congress are questioning the decision to bring Fabolous. Last year Gym Class Heroes and The Avett Brothers co-headlined the homecoming concert on separate dates, but this year, after a failed attempt to get Kid Cudi and Girl Talk to co-headline the concert, the CUAB had to “settle” with Fabolous as the only headliner. The night before he performs at UNC, Fabolous will also be in Greensboro, N.C. on Halloween night, performing alongside Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman and Nicki Minaj for NC A&T’s Homecoming Concert. Convenient, huh?
According to Homecoming director and a member of the selection committee, Courtney Brown, ‘He’s a name that people know, and he’s been around for a while. He’s not a one-hit wonder.” She’s right about one thing: He has been around for a while. However, unless UNC has the largest concentration of Fabolous fans on earth, paying an artist like Fabolous a minimum of $40,000 to perform for Homecoming when the guy only has one recent, recognizable song (“Throw It In The Bag,” feat. The Dream) seems like a huge waste of money.
The CUAB doesn’t seem entirely confident with their decision either and spent several days in negotiation with a second act for a separate Homecoming concert. Tickets for the Homecoming show are $15 for students and $30 for general public. Hometown favorite KAZE will be opening.
Yesterday, former American Idol contestant and UNC alum, Anoop Desai was named as the second Homecoming act, following a high-profile performance at the N.C. State Fair last week. That concert is free for students and $5 for the public. The concert is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8th.
