Hit artist behind the exhilarating single “No Hands” Waka Flocka Flame will perform this Saturday at Ting Pavillion along with Baby Tate and NLE Choppa at University Program Council’s Springfest concert. The inclusion of three artists — hinted at by the UPC writing “⅔” in their earlier announcements — represents a break in a longstanding tradition of solo performances.
Drew Pitter, director of UPC’s Concert committee and fourth-year College student, said the committee decided to bring in multiple names in order to find artists with lower fees instead of one headliner with a higher cost. After originally booking just two artists, UPC ended up with extra room in the budget and reached out to other performers early March.
“I'm looking forward to seeing how a multi-artist lineup will play out,” Pitter said. “I personally have seen Waka Flocka and Baby Tate, and I'm excited for the students to see these artists.”
According to Pitter, Waka Flocka Flame performed extremely well on an initial UPC Instagram poll asking students who they would like to see, and the committee was lucky that he was available at a relatively lower price than other options.
Waka Flocka Flame’s addition follows criticism over the historical lack of female performers in previous Springfests. Event coordinators cited higher fees for female artists that often fall outside of UPC’s budget, along with a previous attempt to book female singer fall semester that fell through. Pitter also said that before confirming Waka Flocka Flame, UPC had reached out to a wide variety of artists, including female rapper Young M.A.
When UPC first announced NLE Choppa as the sole performer, multiple students commented on the fact that the program has not invited a female artist in more than ten years. UPC’s later inclusion of Baby Tate elicited excitement from many students, although some wished the event organizers would have announced her involvement earlier on.
The Springfest concert is an annual event hosted by UPC and funded through a percentage of the Student Activities Fee — the $50 fee all students are required to pay yearly through tuition. This year's concert will be held off-Grounds 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m Saturday at Ting Pavilion.
There will be four buses running between Grounds and Ting on a loop all night during the Springfest concert. Students and staff can reserve free tickets using their University email and computing ID.
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