Snoop Dogg may draw non-hip hop fans

With the Spring Fest lineup set for good, many students say they are looking forward to Saturday night's concert featuring rappers Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, Cassidy and reggae artist Elephant Man.

Angela Knight, a senior psychology major, said her reason for attending Spring Fest is all about the performers.

"I'm going because it's people that I'm actually interested in seeing," she said. "Also, it's the last event of the year and I've already paid for it so I might as well go."

"I'm not very excited to see anyone in particular," she added, "but if I had to pick one performer I'd say I'm most looking forward to Snoop Dogg. My favorite song of his right now is 'Drop it Like It's Hot.'"

Although the all hip-hop genre concert has appealed to many students, others say they aren't looking forward to Spring Fest because the genre just isn't their thing.

"I don't think I'm going to Spring Fest this year. It's not really my type of music. I listen to mostly punk, emo, alternative stuff," said Mike Braaten, a freshman computer science major. "Snoop Dogg is sweet though, I saw him on Conan and he was really funny."

With Snoop Dogg as the headliner, SA figures to draw in a number of students who wouldn't normally go to a concert like Saturday's.

"I'll probably go. I'm not really a rap fan. I'm more into rock, or punk; anything with a guitar," said Adam Batt, a freshman psychology major. "I'm going just so I can say I went to a Snoop Dogg concert. A lot of my friends are going too."

Kellilyn Merchant, a junior business administration major, said she likes Saturday's artists but is a little disappointed rapper The Game dropped out.

After signing an offer sheet to play at UB, The Game cancelled on SA due to internal camp issues.

"I was looking forward to seeing The Game, but I guess he's not coming anymore. I'm still looking forward to seeing the others though," Merchant said. "I think it's ridiculous that they can't get along."

Sunil Mathew, a junior business administration major said he was also looking forward to seeing The Game.

"I do like The Game. I thought his new CD was pretty good. It's too bad he's not coming, but politics is politics," he said. "I'm from New York City, though, so I have to like Jadakiss."

Mathew said he heard mixed messages over the Spring Fest lineup.

"I'm a fan of hip-hop music, but I heard no one was coming," he said. "If Snoop Dogg and Jadakiss are still going to be in it, I'll be there."

The Alumni Arena doors open at 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. show, and while tickets are free for UB students, they cost $30 for non-students.

Having to pay for a ticket might be a deterrent, but it won't stop community members like Knight, who attended her first Spring Fest before she was a UB student.

"My favorite performance was Method and Redman but I wasn't even a UB student when they came here," Knight said. "I was a senior in high school so I had to pay to see them."

SA officials said they ideally had wanted to hold the concert outside, but recent weather conditions have forced it indoors.

"I want to stand up in the front, so I'll get there pretty early," Mathew said. "It would have been nice if it was outside, but it's not a big deal as long as I don't end up sitting in the bleachers or something. I just hope security is better this time. Last time I went, there was a big fight."

Although they weren't enthusiastic about the music, some said they believe SA does a good job balancing different types of music at fests.

"They get genres of music that pertain to all people here," Knight said. "As long as they mix it up and it's not all one thing you can't complain. I would like to see them include some Reggaeton sometime though. It's kind of a Spanish, hip hop with a reggae type beat."

"I think they do a good job balancing the acts they get," Batt said. "I'm sure a lot of people felt about Incubus the way I do about Snoop."