Since Vandal Entertainment (VE) chose Post Malone as the University of Idaho Finals Fest headliner, the hip-hop artist has grown in popularity.
“I honestly think that this will kind of be like a Macklemore year, where we booked him before he blew up,” Board Chair of VE Camille Awbrey said.
Malone came out with his hit single “White Iverson” in 2015 and his December album “Stoney” officially went platinum two weeks ago, surpassing one million sells.
“We voted for him before his new album came out, but we knew that he was on the way,” Awbrey said. “He had had a couple of really popular singles in the past four years that were popular with the college crowd.”
Awbrey said they decided on Malone in late September and submitted an official offer in October. However, they confirmed him just last week with a signed contract.
Shelbs Burkhart, a member of VE’s street team and a Post Malone fan said she first heard of the artist through his hit “White Iverson” in 2015.
“When it was finally locked down that he was going to be our Finals Fest opener, oh my God, I was ecstatic, I screamed,” Burkhart said. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s rare that we get an artist that is so on the rise right in the moment.”
Post Malone will be the third hip-hop artist in a row to play at UI’s Finals Fest. Awbrey said this reflects student preferences based on social media and email polling.
“Generally hip-hop comes out on top,” she said.
She said EDM is also a popular genre, but artists in that category are usually less well-known and cheaper, meaning they can play at other times throughout the year. She said hip-hop is also an upbeat genre conducive to Finals Fest.
“Since it is a celebration of the whole year’s efforts, we do want to provide a kind of fun, party-like atmosphere for students,” she said.
Awbrey said she thinks students will be more excited about Malone than they were for iLoveMakonnen, the smaller, less well-known artist who played at last year’s Finals Fest.
Chicago rapper Saba and Boise-based EDM artist DJ TEJ will open for Post Malone. Awbrey said Saba is more classic hip-hop than Malone, whose music is somewhat folksy.
The concert will be at 7 p.m. April 29 on the SprinTurf.
“We are doing it outside again this year,” Awbrey said. “We want to aspire to that festival type of vibe that we had last year.”
Tickets for the concert can be purchased through the university’s ticket office for $25. Admission is free for UI students with Vandal ID.
Nina Rydalch
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