How often do you meet a University student who knows exactly what he or she wants to do? How often do you find someone whose drive and ambition for his or her goal goes beyond grades? While most of us can't imagine anything after finals, others are making names for themselves in unique areas that will endure even after graduation.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present Exhibit A: Third-year College student Ryan Kersey, who started his own event planning company, R.U.P. Productions. "The Main Event," a hip-hop party taking place this weekend in Fry's Spring, will be Kersey's first large event.
"The Main Event" will showcase DJ and producer Just Blaze, as well as Virginia-based performing duo Clipse. Just Blaze is a well known hip-hop DJ and has worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West. Mainstream audiences may know Clipse best from its collaboration with Justin Timberlake on the track "Like I Love You," but the duo also had personal success with "Grindin'" and other singles.
Although Kersey seems to believe strongly in Just Blaze's talent, he is especially excited about Clipse's performance. Because of recent problems with their label, Clipse's album release date has been pushed back several times. Kersey booked the act when they were promoting their album in London but wanted them for "The Main Event" because "they are capable of putting out hot hits," Kersey said.
According to Kersey, the University's hip-hop scene is often overlooked because many students are unwilling to attend a concert by an unfamiliar artist. For example, John Legend came to the University before his album was released and "was largely ignored," Kersey said.
"If he came now, his concert would sell out," he said.
Instead, many students only listen to mainstream, established artists.
"That's what they think is hip-hop if they're not already into hip-hop," Kersey said, adding that he wants the University and Charlottesville communities to develop a "higher respect for quality."
Kersey said he is not only hoping that the concert will increase attention for the artists, but also for R.U.P. Productions.
"I'm hoping the event will gain name recognition for the company itself so that people will know they'll have a good time at an event," he said.
The performances will be part of Spring Fling Weekend, which operates in conjunction with "Days on the Lawn." The weekend will include events sponsored by the University Programs Council and other organizations to appeal to newly accepted African-American students. Many of the historically Black Greek organizations around Grounds also hold events. "The Main Event" will replace Omega Psi Phi's annual Spring Fling party.
Kersey said he is excited about holding his event on such a popular weekend. By appealing to students, prospective students and the outside community, he is confident he can bring in the number of people necessary to make the show a success.
While Kersey said he knows that many of the attendees will be from Greek organizations, he is hoping that the event surpasses a typical frat party. He said he is striving to create a club-like atmosphere instead of a concert or party mood.
"I want to take this event to a higher level," he said.
Kersey said he is aware that "The Main Event" is an ambitious first project for his company.
"I want to start at a higher level and work my way backwards if I need to," he said. "I'm hoping that this event will gain recognition for the company itself."
Whether you're a lifelong lover of hip-hop or just enjoy the party atmosphere its beats often create, Kersey said he hopes everyone will give aspiring artists a better chance. "The Main Event" is his effort to get the music to the people. If Kersey continues on his self-made path, R.U.P. Productions and the artists it presents will have no problems doing just that.
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
