Old School
“Bust A Move,” “I Had No Right” and “Wild Thing,” are familiar tunes that may bring back “old school” memories for USU students. Whether from jamming to the tunes at a party or listening to them on the radio – many people will remember old-school rappers Young MC, Tone-Loc and P.M. Dawn, pioneers in the music industry, who will take the stage at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum April 21.
“I wanted to bring a concert here because nothing ever happens here,” said Nick Thomas, radio personality “DJ N-I-K,” for 94.5 VHX.
Thomas has done parties, raves and various events at Utah State University. Helping plan and coordinate this concert has involved talking to agents, record companies, etc., for each artist, Thomas said.
What is “old school” rap?
“Most genres [of music] are fusing together. ‘Old school’ is when people fuse together,” Thomas said.
These artists have been around for a while – now they can mark Logan as a spot they’ve performed at.
Young MC
“He returns from a long hiatus with a new edge,” according to Billboard Music Reviews and Previews. At age 34, Young MC, Marvin Young, has been working in the music industry for 12 years.
He was born in Europe and grew up in Queens, New York. His fifth album was released last fall. He hopes to have seven albums within the next two to three years, he said in an interview with Thomas.
He graduated from University of South Carolina in 1989.
“I do this for a living. I have a college degree. [Many may ask] what do you have?” He answers, “a body of work,” from 12 years of experience.
“I put my effort into the record. I’m gonna really start hitting it hard in terms of my releases and promotions,” Young said.
Young was the first artist to receive a televised Grammy award at the Grammy Awards in 1990, Thomas said.
He wrote the song “Not That Kind,” for Anastasia – the album sold 6 million albums in Europe, Young said.
Along with writing lyrics and performing, Young hopes his music will have a positive effect.
“I have this idea a 5-, 6- or 7-year-old will pick up my music, and I want to affect him in a positive way,” Young said in an interview with Thomas.
He has done shows with Tone-Loc; this will be his first performance with P.M. Dawn, Young said in his interview with Thomas.
What can students expect?
“Expect a good time,” Young said
Tone-Loc
Between television guest appearances, movie roles and voice animation, this old school rapper has broadened his horizons to include hit albums in the music industry. With hits like, “Funky Cold Medina” and “Wild Thing,” Tone Loc has sold more than 8 million units, the Entertainment Artists Nashville Talent Agency said.
He has received the “American Music Award” and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. His film roles include, “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Heat,” “Poetic Justice,” “Posse,” and others.
He has also made guest appearances on television shows like “Roc,” and “Touched by an Angel.” His voice is not only heard on the radio, but in animation projects in feature films like “BeBe Kids,” “Ferngully: The Last Rainforest” and “Jamar The Bear,” according to the Entertainment Artists Nashville Talent Agency.
He tours 100-150 days every year and has performed with artists like N’Sync, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, Naughty By Nature, Digital Underground, Coolio, Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Slick Rick and others.
“I want to come to have some fun,” Tone Loc said in his interview with Thomas.
“I can’t wait to get there. I’m looking forward to it.”
P.M. Dawn
P.M. Dawn, a Christian music group, consists of Prince Be and J.C./The Eternal. Some of their hits include, “I Had No Right,” “Faith of You,” and “If I Could Be Your Star.”
Their newest album is, “Dearest Christian, I’m So Very Sorry For Bringing You Here. Love, Dad.” Prince Be wrote the album when his son, Christian, was born. His son’s birth gave him a rebirth of hope, as he sings, “I’ve got all the love you’ll ever need,” according to the Gee Street press release.
“We wanted to make a hopeful record,” Prince Be said.
“I don’t want to give it to everyone on a platter. You really sort of have to get it for yourself. If I’m going to throw someone a life preserver, blind as I am, I’m throwing everything I see into the water. There’s got to be a life preserver they can find in there somewhere,” Prince Be said.
“It’s in Prince Be’s soothing vocals and melodies that hope can be heard,” the press release said.
The concert at USU will be the first time all four artists have performed together.
The “Old School” concert will be Friday, April 21 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum building.
Tickets are $23 and are available at the USU ticket office and Lee’s marketplace; or by calling toll-free at 1-888-USTATE-1.