By Rachel West – Managing Editor
Hoodie Allen and The King’s Dead will be coming to Centre College’s campus for this year’s Carnival celebrations. The band selection was revealed by Centre’s Student Activities Council (SAC), who are responsible for the Carnival festivities, today during Common Hour.
The main act, Hoodie Allen, is an independent hip-hop artist and rapper. His popularity has surged, particularly on college campuses, since he first burst onto the scene in 2009. In 2012, he released his album All American, which hit the top of iTunes music charts within hours of its release. Since then, he has been travelling the United States on Cruisin’ USA Tour. In Aug. 2013, he released the EP Americoustic, a free acoustic album of his All American tracks.
Hoodie Allen comes to Centre’s campus on a wave of popularity, according to SAC Big Events and Partnerships Committee Chair and senior Rachel Carter. “There was a very high request rate for Hoodie Allen from students,” Carter said. “He’s performed at a lot of other colleges with very high reviews.”
Carter and her committee wanted to bring in an additional act to open for Hoodie Allen, and they found their mark in The King’s Dead, a band known to many students by their former name, The Dean’s List.
The King’s Dead is a hip-hop/rap group made up of the arts Alex Mendoza and Sonny Shotz. Their style is distinctive, yet fits very well with Hoodie Allen’s style.
“We looked at acts that would mesh well with Hoodie Allen, and they’ve actually performed together at past colleges. They were extremely willing to work together,” Carter said.
According to Carter, in honor of the main event the theme of this year’s Carnival festivities will be “Red, White, and Hoodie.” In addition to the Carnival Concert at night, during the day there will be carnival-style foods and novelties available on the Campus Center lawn. This year, the Carnival will feature activities such as human bowling, a rock-climbing wall, and an All-American cookout. During the concert, SAC will be conducting giveaways for those who attend.
SAC’s Carnival will take place on Friday, May 9.
Can’t wait until May? Click here to hear more from Hoodie Allen and here to check out Kings Dead.