Congress questions selection of Fabolous

Student leaders approached artists including Kid Cudi and Girl Talk to perform at this year’s Homecoming concert but had to settle for hip-hop artist Fabolous as time ran out.

The Carolina Union Activities Board announced Fabolous on Monday, less than a week before his Sunday concert. The announcement is uncharacteristically late. Past Homecoming acts have typically been announced in September.

At least two members of Student Congress are questioning the decision to bring in Fabolous, pointing to the high price tag he comes with and the fact that only one act has been announced, instead of the two they said were promised.

The Homecoming concert committee has a $65,000 budget to pay for the concert. The concert is funded jointly by CUAB and the Carolina Athletics Association. Those two groups put up some of the money, then asked Congress for the rest. This year, Congress provided $25,000.

CUAB is funded through a student fee. CAA’s money comes primarily from the athletic department.

Amanda Kao, CUAB president and member of the selection committee, would not say the exact amount they spent on Fabolous, only that it cost about three-fourths of what they expected to pay two acts.

Congress representative Emily Danforth, who voted against appropriating money toward the concert on Sept. 15, said she was under the impression that there were going to be two artists.

“They wanted this money so they could have two concerts, two big artists, and hopefully sell out both concerts,” she said. “I feel we were misled because they used it to book one act, and they only advertised it three days in advance of the general ticket sales.”

But John Russell, president of the Carolina Athletic Association, said the group did not promise anyone two concerts.

He said they prefer to bring two acts to appeal to UNC’s diverse campus.

Kao said the committee first asked Kid Cudi and Girl Talk to perform.

“Those were our two acts that we had sent offers in, and they just didn’t go through,” she said. “We would have had a perfect amount of money if those came through.”

Kao said they asked for the extra $25,000 in case they needed more money to secure two acts.

When they found out that Fabolous was available for a higher price than previous individual acts, they decided to go for it, she said.

Compared to past Homecoming concerts, Fabolous cost just a little more than The Roots and Common. Each netted $40,000.

Last year, it cost $70,000 to get both The Avett Brothers and Gym Class Heroes.

But Kao and Russell both said they are negotiating a deal with a second artist. This concert would be held the weekend of Nov. 7, which is the date of the Homecoming football game against Duke.

“The second concert is in the final stages,” Russel said. “We will be announcing it shortly to give students ample time to get tickets to the concert.”

American Idol star and former UNC Clef Hanger Anoop Desai announced on Twitter that he would be performing at the Homecoming concert, but organizers would not confirm the appearance.



Arts Editor Katy Doll contributed reporting.

Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.