Mayfest co-chairmen Michael Gebhardt and Chase Jackson have confirmed “a rumor” that rapper and hip-hop artist B.o.B. will be the nighttime headliner for Dillo Day this year.
Jackson, a Weinberg junior, said Mayfest is excited to bring such a “huge name.”
“This is the first time in recent years that we’ve had such a relevant headliner,” Gebhardt, a Weinberg senior, said. “We’ve had throwback hip-hop artists, but this is an artist who’s new and up-and-coming. Usually we can’t afford these people or they’re unavailable.”
Gebhardt and Jackson said NU’s Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association are helping to fund the performance. To combat unavailability, Mayfest started early working with the artist’s agents.
B.o.B. is known for hit songs including “Nothin’ on You,” “Airplanes” and “Magic.” He was nominated for five Grammy awards.
Jackson said he hopes students will be excited to hear confirmation that the artist will be coming to campus May 28.
“When rumors leaked, we heard a ton of positive comments,” he said.
Gebhardt and Jackson both said when rumors surface, they don’t mind the buzz.
“I get a kick out of them,” Jackson said. “People make the weirdest assumptions.”
“We just like people to be happy,” Gebhardt said. “It’s a shame when there’s rumors about great artists we can’t afford, but at the end of the day we just want to bring great artists.”
The co-chairmen said they may announce another performer by Sunday, depending on contracts.
If they are able to announce, members of Mayfest will hide large gift-wrapped boxes around campus which contain one letter of the artist’s name and instructions to bring the box to The Rock.
Students will then arrange the letters to form the artist’s name.
“It’s always fun to have people talking about Dillo Day,” Jackson said.
