When Evan Mychal Smith heard the news – that all the Nas tickets were gone – he held one reaction.

‘I was surprised,’ Smith said. The sophomore didn’t expect Nas to sell out.

Believing lack of advertising for the concert would secure him a ticket to see one of his favorite artists, Smith thought he had time to grab one April 7 – the day tickets went on sale. He was wrong.

Four hours after the Schine Box Office began selling tickets to the National Panhellenic Council’s annual Greek Unity Fest Concert – which headlines the famous rapper – close to 1,500 tickets were gone, leaving Smith without one.

‘But then again, it is Nas,’ he said.

The renowned musician will perform on stage at the Schine Student Center tonight, as a part of the sold-out Greek Unity Fest Concert. Known for his controversy and contribution to the East Coast hip hop scene. Nas headlines the concert four days before University Union’s annual Block Party, featuring hip hop stars Fergie and Sean Kingston.

‘The event will be one of the highlights of the year,’ said John Carter, president of the National Panhellenic Council. ‘It’s something we put a lot of effort into, not only for the event (tonight), but also the whole weekend.’

The concert will be followed by a step show and a party, both this Saturday at Goldstein Auditorium.

With tickets going fast, some students even used Nas’ arrival to turn a quick profit.

After spending two hours at the Schine Box Office to buy three tickets, Alex Marti, a sophomore marketing major, resold one of them for a $35 profit.

‘I figured that there were people that would be willing to pay more than retail,’ Marti said.

With three albums that topped Billboard Music Charts since his debut album ‘Illmatic’ in 1994, Nas has gone from being an eighth grade dropout to recording eight successful albums through the past 17 years. Spawning hits such as ‘One Love’ and ‘New York State of Mind,’ the rapper is scheduled to release his ninth album, ‘N****r,’ (except spelled out) next Tuesday.

‘Man, I almost s*** my pants to tell you the truth,’ said The Kid Fresh, when he heard he would open for Nas. The Le Moyne College alumnus and Phi Beta Sigma brother said he grew up listening to Nas and is influenced by his work. Comedian Tony Roberts, who appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, will also share the stage.

‘They do this every year, and they go out with a bang,’ The Kid Fresh said. ‘The step show, the party, all that makes a spectacular event. Everybody has a good time, that’s what it’s all about.’

edpaik@syr.edu

Published on April 17, 2008 at 12:00 pm