Over 1,800 fans watched the sun set as they stood in line outside the West Gym awaiting Lupe Fiasco’s first performance at Binghamton University.
Sunday meant an evening of music and dancing behind the doors of the gym for the mass of BU and high school students. James Mead, of Owego, said he was excited to hear Fiasco’s “Dumb It Down.”
“I look forward to Lupe’s artistic lyricism and style,” Mead, a student from Owego Free Academy, said.
The 1,500 student tickets sold out by the day of the show, but the public ticket sales did not go as well, according to Aaron Butler, Student Association vice president for programming. Going by ticket sales, Butler estimated that about 1,800 people attended the show.
Even though there was a half hour delay in the doors opening, concertgoers ran inside to get as close as possible to the stage. Fiasco’s sound check, which was still in progress, tricked one fan.
“He’s already on stage!” a girl yelled as she ran inside the gym.
The gym went dark around 9:10 p.m. and the six-piece band began to play. Fiasco coasted onto the stage sporting sunglasses, a leather jacket and jeans — all in black.
Greeted with screams, Fiasco literally kicked off the show with his hit “Kick Push.”
Performing several singles from his new album, “The Cool,” Fiasco showed his personality through his freestyle dancing. His presence on stage was boosted with a great deal of energy, which was matched by both the crowd and his band.
The hit “Superstar” had the crowd singing as Fiasco played conductor. Passion consumed Fiasco as he crooned into the microphone while holding onto the stand for support. He eventually ended up lying on the floor, singing the last verse and kicking his legs in the air.
Deanna D’onofrio, an undeclared freshman, said she enjoyed Fiasco’s energetic performance during the song.
“It was awesome just watching the way he moved on the stage,” D’onofrio said. “The band behind him was also phenomenal.”
Fiasco followed Binghamton’s own, Soundhouse, who helped to get the crowd moving with their spirited tunes. The seven-person band, led by the legendary Mr. Reed, supplied energy with their songs and urged people to dance to their beats.
“We’re here to have an amazing show,” Mr. Reed said while preparing for the show. “We’re here for the fans.”
The evening took a political turn before the song, “Daydreamin’.” Fiasco yelled into the crowd for about five minutes about the importance of voting.
“A vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the future,” he exclaimed. “A vote for John McCain is a vote for the past.”
Fiasco continued his message and said that everyone in the crowd needed to realize the “urgency” of voting this election.
“You need to wake up from this daydream,” he screamed as music began to blast.
Rebecca Forman, a freshman human development major, said Fiasco’s message stuck with her.
“I really liked his political emphasis, and he wants to inspire kids to be the change in the world,” Forman said.
Overall, Butler said he was pleased with the outcome of the event. Emily Raduta, a freshman nursing major, echoed his sentiments.
“I really liked how he had jazz behind his rap and I really appreciate how well it was put together and thought-out,” Raduta said.
— Alana Davidson contributed to this report.