Every year, the Associated Students of California Lutheran University Government hosts the Spring Fling dance.

The event has been popular in previous years, but with a cap on attendance at roughly 250-300 people annually, the ASCLUG started looking into alternative options.

For the first time in CLU’s history, the programs board has decided put on a concert instead of the annual Spring Fling.

Hip hop artist Chiddy Bang will be performing for students and Thousand Oaks locals on April 4.

“We found the concert to be a much more accessible event because music is something everyone can relate to,” said representative of programs board, sophomore Laurel Skinner.

Planning an event of this scale has proved to be different than hosting what used to be the spring formal.

“The students on programs board started with three artists that they really wanted to see and then we hired a booking agent due to the scale of the event,” said Katy Crabtree, ASCLUG programs board director.

Emigrating from Nigeria at a young age, performer Chidera “Chiddy” Anamega learned the importance of hard work.

According to The Daily Local News, Anamega enrolled in Drexel University in 2008, where he began his musical journey. He met producer Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin during his first semester before the duo dropped out to pursue music full time.

Following the release of his debut studio album in 2012, several of Chiddy Bang’s singles have been topping the charts.

“Mind Your Manners” and “Ray Charles”, two of his most successful singles, made top 40 charts all over the world.

“I’ve actually heard of Chiddy Bang and it’s really exciting to hear that he’ll be coming to perform at Cal Lutheran,” sophomore Branden Vogl said.

Loyola Marymount University and Boston University are only a few of the schools that Chiddy Bang has performed for.

“He put on an awesome show and my friends and I enjoyed every minute of it,” said LMU sophomore Iman Farah. “CLU students have a fun night to look forward to come April.”

Buzz has been surrounding the event and students are excited.

“I wasn’t able to attend the Spring Fling last year, but I think that programs board made the right decision going with a concert this year. I think a lot more students will attend,” Vogl said.

The ASCLUG is also slated to hold auditions for the opening act later on in the month for any musician or musical group interested, including, but not limited to CLU students.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, so we’re really excited to make this finally happen this year,” Crabtree said.

The Chiddy Bang concert at CLU will be on April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Gilbert Arena.

Tickets go on sale at the beginning of March at $15 for students and $17 for graduate students, faculty and Thousand Oaks residents.

Sahal Farah
Staff Writer
Published Feb. 12, 2014