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BETHANY CLANCY
Staff Writer
Fredonia is predominantly known for holding pop punk shows, both on and off campus. On Friday night, the Music Industry Club decided to take a different route for an event.
The show was held in the MPR and starred two Fredonia hip-hop artists: Dequan Williams, a freshman who goes by “Q,” and Tanner VandeSande, a senior music industry major who goes by “Tan Air” while performing.
The whole idea for a hip-hop showcase came from sophomore music industry and communications: audio/radio major, Dan Calderone, who is also the events coordinator for Music Industry Club and Julia Mason, a senior music industry major and the GA representative for Music Industry Club. The two had wanted to diversify the Fredonia music scene, and they were the ones to make it happen.
“The idea was something the whole eboard [has] been talking about for a little while now. We felt that rap and hip-hop doesn’t always get its highlight in the Fredonia music scene,” said Calderone. “A couple houses have done rap house shows, so we wanted to bring it onto campus. There’s a lot of great hip-hop talent at this school, so we all felt it was time to bring that to light.”
When deciding on how to choose performers for this event, Calderon said, “Q auditioned for our Battle of The New Bands event last semester but unfortunately didn’t make it, and Tan Air has had a following here for awhile. With their talent, it was a no-brainer to book them.”
The headliner of the show, Tan Air, has been making music since middle school and discussed his influences, passions and upcoming shows.
“I mostly just made remixes to already popular instrumentals, and I started making originals a year or so after that,” he said.
“My biggest inspirations are Eminem, Royce da 5’9 and Aesop Rock. I chose hip-hop because I love the lyrical aspect and the creative freedom within the songs. I vary in themes between my own personal experiences, daily struggles most people experience at some point or another. Other songs I like to just go off on random wordplay, no general theme or reason, just some music that’s fun to listen to,” he continued. “I’m extremely grateful to the Music Industry Club for having me last night. It was hard to see the turnout wasn’t very high, but I still had a lot of fun and hope to work with them again soon. I have a few shows coming up in Fredonia, however they have yet to be announced so I can’t give too much detail about them.”
Kim VanOpdorp, senior music industry and public relations major, had a lot of positive feedback about the performers and the event itself.
“Q is so talented and [the Music Industry Club] immediately put [him] on the bill for this show when the idea came about. I really hope that he gets more attention around here. His lyrics have some really incredible substance”, he said.
“Any time we do something new I have to remind myself that the turnout can only be so much. But overall the crowd was really great and we appreciate everyone who came out and supported us and their friends on stage. I’m really proud of the work that went into this show and seeing it through and have high hopes for our next few events,” she said. “Dan and Julia really took this idea and ran with it, and I couldn’t be much happier with how it went.”
Calderone’s final words on the event were nothing but positive as well.
“Especially for our first event of this kind, I feel the night was a success. We had a slight hiccup with a third performer, but Q and Tan Air absolutely killed it at the show. It was definitely a learning experience for everyone, and a good first step to give hip-hop artists a place to perform on campus. A big thank you to Sound Services and Q and Tan Air for a great night,” he said.
Bringing diversity into Fredonia’s music scene is at a slow start, but it’s headed in the right direction.