What: Big Sean

Where: Schine Underground

When: Feb. 23, 8 p.m.

How much: $5 for SU/ESF students, $10 general public

Hip-hop artist Big Sean and rapper Donnis will perform Feb. 23 to kick off Syracuse University’s Winter Carnival 2011, University Union members announced Monday.

‘Hip-hop is really popular on campus, and we wanted to make sure that we picked artists who are credible and blogged about,’ said Gabriella Landman, a Bandersnatch co-director.

The concert will be held in Schine Underground at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday for $5 to all SU and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students and $10 to the general public.

The selection of the artists, who were booked in November, was directly based on the UU fall concert survey sent out to all students through e-mail, Landman said. This year’s survey received thousands of responses and was one of the most successful, she said.

Big Sean and Donnis have been in high demand, and students have been asking to see them for years, said Harry Roberts, director of concerts for UU.

The event is co-sponsored by SU’s Winter Carnival board and the Bandersnatch committee, a subdivision of UU concerts.

Discovered by Kanye West, Big Sean has released three mixed tapes and is signed to West’s G.O.O.D. Music. His debut album will feature Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi, Chiddy Bang and Mike Posner.

Being associated with West gives Big Sean an even greater appeal, Landman said. Many students don’t realize how often he’s featured in West’s and other artists’ music, she said.

‘But as a standalone artist, he’s definitely a big draw, and he’s recognizable to students here,’ she said.

Frank Costanzo, a senior civil engineering major, said he will definitely attend the concert. He has been impressed by UU’s concert selections this year, he said.

‘I love Big Sean,’ he said. ‘I like his style — he’s not your typical, talk-about-guns type.’

But not everyone is as excited or aware of the artists.

‘I don’t listen to mainstream music, so it’s as not relevant to me,’ said Tyra Jeffries, a junior public relations major. Despite that, Jeffries said she recognizes UU’s attempt to address student interest.

‘It’s good,’ she said. ‘It makes it seem that the campus cares about our opinion and intake, which is their job and what they should be doing.’

Rapper Donnis released his mixed tape ‘Diary of an ATL Brave’ in 2009 and has toured with artists Chiddy Bang, Matt & Kim and Bruno Mars. His single ‘Gone’ is featured in a popular Adidas campaign and will complement Big Sean well, Landman said.

Whether or not students recognize the names, Roberts said he hopes for a sold-out show.

‘Big Sean is an up-and-coming artist with a unique flow, so hopefully people will be attracted to that,’ he said. ‘It’s a great chance to see them both before they really blow up.’

mainthia@syr.edu

Published on January 23, 2011 at 12:00 pm