Hip-hop newbie Wale will headline the first annual High Definition Spring Fest at the PMAC on Thursday, April 28.
The confirmed lineup includes Slim Thug, The Brotherhood, Loco and Jumi Jump. Level and Dee-1, University alumni, are also among the ever-expanding lineup.
“We are currently in talks with Devin the Dude, and Mystikal seemed really interested in joining the show,” said Marshawn Burnett, concert producer and co-owner of High Definition Productions Inc.
Student-priced tickets, which range from $20 to $50, are on sale to anyone with a valid student ID from any school. They can be purchased at LSUTix.net.
“Tickets have been on sale, and the response has been really exciting,” Burnett said. “The floor seats are going the fastest.”
The ticket price for anyone with a student ID is lower than the average patron’s, Burnett said.
“[Students can get] 300 level for $20, $25 for 200 level, $35 for 100 level and floor seats for $50,” Burnett said. “We are making it more affordable for students.”
Initially, hip-hop newcomer Wiz Khalifa was set to headline the PMAC event, Burnett said.
“Khalifa wasn’t going to be available … and Wale seemed like the next best thing,” Burnett said. “The type of music [Wale] produces is more on the positive side.”
The definitive selling point for Wale performing was the location, according to Burnett.
“Getting the PMAC was a deciding factor for Wale,” Burnett said.
The size of the PMAC benefits the University, said Mario Murphy, mechanical engineering junior and co-owner of High Definition Productions Inc.
“The only thing bigger is Tiger Stadium,” Murphy said. “It’s something that many in the LSU community have not seen in a long time.”
Administration probably approved the event at the PMAC because of the backlash they felt from having no hip-hop artists at Groovin’ on the Grounds, Burnett said.
“The hip-hop audience has expanded so much,” Burnett said. “When you ignore hip-hop, you’re ignoring a large majority of the youth.”
This concert will help emphasize the versatility of uses for the PMAC, Burnett said.
“It puts to rest those preconceived notions about who can operate out of the PMAC and what can be done out of the PMAC,” Burnett said.
Aimee Lestage, communication disorders freshman, said she has recently noticed an increased interest in hip-hop music.
Lestage said the realism of lyrics is what makes hip-hop so relatable for her.
“The ones that rap about their issues and life are definitely better, because me as a female, I can identify with it more than with someone who’s going to talk about [loose women] and money,” Lestage said. “The show sounds interesting.”
Spring break was a huge factor in determining the event date, Murphy said.
“I know a lot of people who will take that Monday, Tuesday or even Wednesday off to extend their spring break a little bit,” Murphy said. “Being on a Thursday, it’s close enough to the weekend to where students will be more willing to party and attend the concert.”
 
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