It’s student appreciation week at Western Carolina University and artists came through, but sometimes the artists selected can be obscure or not really well-known.
Still, did Western turn up the heat with these two artists, and do students at Western feel appreciated?
“I’m surprised Wale came to campus, said Tyler Jones, WCU student over the phone. “I can’t remember the last time we got a Grammy-nominated artist on campus.”
Wale & crew. Photo by Alec Simkiss
The concert was from 8–11 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University, with Niykee Heaton opening and Wale headlining. The show was sponsored by the offices of Campus Activities and Residential Living as part of Student Appreciation Week.
Wale is a 32-year-old Grammy nominated American rapper from Washington D.C. who rose to prominence in 2006 when his song “Dig Dug (Shake It)” became popular in his hometown. While becoming locally recognized and signing to different labels, Wale has released mixtapes and albums that have brought him up to the national spotlight to the likes of MTV, magazines, and
While becoming locally recognized and signing to different labels, Wale has released mixtapes and albums that have brought him up to the national spotlight to the likes of MTV, magazines, and two albums to hit #1 in the United States. Wale combines hip hop and elements of go-go into his music.
Niykee Heaton performing one of her favorite songs off her EP. Photo by Alec Simkiss.
The opening act, Niykee Heaton, is an American singer/songwriter, music producer and model. Her career started out as uploading covers to YouTube, notably of hip hop songs, which went viral and she eventually started producing her own music.
Heaton makes music in the contemporary pop/rock genre as well as alternative R&B, and has an EP and a mixtape under her belt.
Besides some slight delays, the concert went off without a hitch. The crowd went wild over Wale as well for Heaton. Heaton danced sultrily to some of her own favorite songs, while Wale was running all over the stage with his hype crew, getting the audience even more pumped than they already were.
Jones, who is a big fan of Wale, spoke on the phone about the headlining artist.
“Wale’s flow is very similar to a poet or a spoken word artist on certain tracks. While able to do mainstream records while also talking about mainstream content, he is able to talk about social issues and black issues within our own community. It’s topical and interesting,” he said.
Wale signing papers, shoes, and shirts for fans while representing Western Carolina. Photo by Alec Simkiss.
Wale got down from off the stage during the concert into the audience, shaking hands and high-fiving students. He also wanted to represent Cullowhee and put on a Western shirt in the middle of the show. Wale could have performed a few last songs, but chose instead to sign shirts, papers and shoes for fans the last 20 minutes of the show.
Wale could have performed a few last songs, but chose instead to sign shirts, papers and shoes for fans the last 20 minutes of the show.
“Wale is someone who takes himself very, very seriously,” Jones spoke about how he responds to fans feedback about his material over Twitter, how he acts in interviews and cares about his fans. “He doesn’t just want to be your average run-of-the-mill rapper, and he tries to that through his lyricism as well. It shows that he really cares about his craft.”
For people who want to hear more from Wale, Jones said to start out with Wale’s early stuff, and try to see the growth and progression he has.
“Look past his mainstream records and look for his album content,” said Jones.
Niykee Heaton hyping up the crowd. Photo by Alec Simkiss.
Still, was this Student Appreciation concert a success?
“I feel appreciated because they got Wale and Niykee Heaton to come out in Cullowhee, North Carolina and put on a good show,” Scott Mitchell, WCU student explained. “It makes me feel like I want to be here more.”
“(The concert) was alright,” commented Jyous Leak, WCU student. “…but yeah, I feel appreciated. I’m glad they’re thinking about me.”
