Student Association President Dela Yador confirmed on Sunday this year's Fall Fest lineup of Kanye West, rapper Common, "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino and up-and-coming R&B singer Keyshia Cole.
He also announced a new concert coming to UB on Oct. 1.
So far, Alumni Arena is scheduled to host Fall Fest on Oct. 21, but Baird Point has also been listed as a possible location, depending on the weather.
"It is going to be a cool lineup," Yador said. "Kanye West is the hottest guy in hip-hop right now."
Kanye West was confirmed sometime in July through his agency, after SA failed to rope in an alternative rock act. SA aimed for bands such as Green Day and retired rapper Jay-Z but was unable to get them to come to UB.
"A lot of people were expecting a rock band. We had a list of about 21 rock bands and none of them worked out," Yador said. "Most of the bands were either overseas, not touring, cost too much, or had personal reasons."
Along with Fall Fest, UB students have yet another concert to look forward to in October. The "Caution" tour, featuring Fat Joe, Juelz Santana, T.I. and Bobby Valentino will be rolling through campus on Oct. 1. This will be Fat Joe's second appearance at UB after performing at the 2002 Spring Fest.
According to Yador, the "Caution" tour was scheduled to perform at HSBC Arena but due to complications with HSBC, Alumni Arena picked up the venue.
Yador said he is excited for Fall Fest as well as the Oct. 1 concert.
"Both shows are going to be very big," Yador said. "I am especially looking forward to Kanye since he is so hot right now."
Grammy award winner West was previously best known for producing hit singles for major hip-hop/R&B artists including Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, and Ludacris. A car crash left his jaw fractured in three places. With his mouth still wired shut and only weeks after his accident, he recorded "Through The Wire," which eventually became his lead single from "The College Dropout," which was released on Roc-a-Fella Records in February 2004.
On Aug. 30, West released his second album "Late Registration." "Diamonds" and "Gold Digger," were the first two singles from "Late Registration." The album sold over 904,000 in its first week.
Common (a.k.a. Common Sense), is Chicago-based hip-hop artist who debuted in 1992 with the single "Take It EZ" and the LP "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" Though popular success was virtually nonexistent, Common established a solid fan base among alternative rap fans that consider him a socially conscious rapper.
Common's latest album, "Be," was released in May 2005, with most of the production handled by West.
"American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino released an album, "Free Yourself," in November 2004. Her two singles "Truth Is" and "Free Yourself" became huge R&B hits, making Fantasia the first R&B artist to simultaneously place two songs in the top three. "Truth Is" also set a record stay at #1, by a female artist, with 14 weeks.
Up-and-coming R&B singer Keyshia Cole's latest album, "The Way It Is," produced by West, was released June 21. Cole has been praised for her creativity in writing her own songs.
Since Fall Fest is going to be a hip-hop genre, SA is planning on having an alternative rock genre for Spring Fest, according to Yador. SA is also participating in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by inviting any students who wish to donate money during Fall Fest.
"This is not a mandatory fee," Yador said. "We are asking UB students to donate whatever they can give at the door."
In contrast to the free Fall Fest, UB students will be charged $25, and general public $60 for the "Caution" tour tickets.
Tickets will go on sale Tuesday morning for the "Caution" tour through www.tickets.com.
