The wait is over UNH; SCOPE hosted an announcement reveal party on Thursday, March 28, to spread the news of the Spring Weekend performers. Speculations began earlier in the week when two cardboard cutouts in the upper and lower levels of Bartels appeared with a box reading “Spring Weekend 2013,” where people could guess the artists in the hopes of meeting them during Spring Weekend. This year’s lineup looks to be a heavy rap/hip hop show with a well-known pop headliner sure to bust the roof off of Charger Gymnasium.
First announced was independent CT rapper OnCue. Hailing from Hartford, you might know him if you’ve ever been checking out mix tapes on datpiff.com. He has been getting his name out there cranking out mix tape after free mix tape, gaining a dedicated fanbase. OnCue released a track on iTunes a few months ago called “Home” in memory of the lives lost in the Newtown tragedy; 100 percent of the proceeds made from the track went straight back to Newtown. I’m a very new listener of OnCue, but I love how real his lyrics are and how chill his music is. Being a Chris Webby fan, it was really easy for me to get into OnCue’s music, so anybody who listens to artists like Webby or even campus local K-Woody should be excited to see what OnCue will bring to Spring Weekend. Perhaps a Webby cameo could be in the works so they could perform “Home.”
Next up on the announcement lineup was Meek Mill, another rapper, who comes from Philly. He started his career in a group called “The Bloodhoundz” before getting a solo record contract with TI at Grand Hustle Records. After switching onto Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, he began releasing his “Dreamchasers Series” of three mix tapes, the third set to be released in early May.
He also got a studio album out called Dreams and Nightmares, which received rave reviews when it dropped in 2012. If his name hasn’t become familiar yet, you’d probably know him best from his 2011 hit “Ima Boss” featuring Rick Ross, later remixed to include Birdman, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Swizz Beatz as well. I can predict now that the crowd will erupt when he starts that track. “House Party” is going to be another huge song in his set, and I think that even those just waiting for the last act to perform will have fun seeing Meek Mill. His music has a bounce that makes it so easy to dance to.
Finally, my favorite artist of SCOPE’s announcement was none other than Hot Chelle Rae. This pop rock group released the song of the summer in 2011 with “Tonight, Tonight,” off their album Whatever. Their carefree pop sound will always remind me of summer, and what better way to end the semester and bring on summer vacation than with Hot Chelle Rae. Their music is sure to melt your stress away before finals week, singing about riding around with the top down, shaking off whatever might be bringing you down and embracing the fact that we’re all “Beautiful Freaks.”
I think these guys are going to bring a high energy that everyone will love. I would tell you what song I’m most excited to hear, but honestly the entire Whatever album is so amazing I could never choose. Even their 2009 album Lovesick Electric has some amazing tracks on it, including my favorite ballad of theirs called “Bleed.”
The Spring Concert will be held on Friday, May 3. Along with the Spring Concert performers, it was announced that Deray Davis (of Wild n’ Out and Barbershop fame) will be the featured comedian on Saturday, May 4. Be sure to get your tickets early because you are not going to want to miss out on these shows.
