Anticipation runs high for three diverse acts
By Sarah Clise
The concert coming to the Leavey Center on Monday is sure to be one of the most diverse blend of artists ever to hit the Santa Clara campus.
Musician and actor Mos Def will be performing live alongside rapper Mickey Avalon and Von in the show organized by the Activities Programming Board.
Known for his tendency toward socially conscious lyrics, Mos Def has been rapping since he was only 9-years-old. He's remained a powerful force on the hip-hop scene ever since, with his most recent album, "True Magic," released in December 2006. The names alone of certain songs such as "Thug is a Drug" and "Murder of a Teenage Life" demonstrate his concern about the increasing hype over thug culture.
He's largely famous for his collaboration with Talib Kweli and their alternative hip-hop group Black Star, which has achieved notable success. He has also made frequent appearances on "Chappelle's Show" on Comedy Central. Not only is Mos Def an accomplished rapper, but he has also developed a striking resume in the world of acting. For the past six years he has hosted "Def Poetry," a show on HBO where performers of slam poetry showcase their work. He has also been nominated for many awards, including Black Reel Awards, Image Awards, Teen Choice Awards, a Black Movie Award, an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his work in television and on the big screen.
In 2005 he won the Black Reel Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Detective Lucas in "The Woodsman," a movie starring Kevin Bacon about a recovering pedophile. With notable roles in "The Italian Job," "16 Blocks" and the Pulitzer-winning Broadway play "Topdog/Underdog," Mos Def's acting career is increasingly adding prestige to his list of accomplishments in the entertainment industry.
While he may have received fewer awards than Mos Def, it can't be said that Mickey Avalon is any less interesting. Born as Yeshe Perl, the rapper grew up in Hollywood where prostitution and drug use became part of his chaotic youth -- topics that have frequently become the fodder for his lyrics. His most well known songs are probably "Jane Fonda" and "So Rich, So Pretty."
Simultaneously dark and funny and consistently bawdy, Avalon's music is bound to get your attention whether you like it or not. For a preview of what to expect from Mickey Avalon, check out ManiaTV! on Tuesday, April 12. An eight-minute interview with the artist will be showing periodically throughout the day.
Clearly, three very different, very exciting artists will be gracing the Leavey Center next week. Each of them have MySpace pages for those who want to know what they are getting into. Check them out at www.myspace.com/mosdef and www.myspace.com/mickeyavalon.
The doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, you can find them at the Benson info desk: $16 floor, $13 balcony.
The public can buy tickets at Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com: for $26 floor and $23 balcony.
Contact Sarah Clise at sclise@scu.edu.
The story incorrectly stated that Von is a black metal band. While there is a black metal band named Von, the Von that performed at Santa Clara on Tuesday was a different hip-hop group.