Dimetri Armstead shivered in front of the Art and Journalism building Thursday, passing out sample copies of his CD "Diamond in the Ruff" and bobbing his head to the beats pulsating from his boom box.
Armstead aka R-tistic said he has given out more than 500 CDs and fliers, which he hopes will help draw people to his show Saturday at John R. Emens Auditorium.
When Armstead takes the stage Saturday he will be the first self-sponsored rapper to perform at Emens.
"If you do small venues people classify you as a local artist," he said. "I don't want to be seen that way; people might respect the fact that I worked hard to get at Emens."
Armstead, who started rapping when he was 11, said he hopes performances like the one Saturday will help propel him to fame.
"A lot of rappers use drug money," he said. "That money funds their career, for studio time and whatever. That money funds that. This money from shows is going to finance my career. That's the plan."
Armstead said Bob Myers, Director of John R. Emens Collegiate-Community Auditorium and Pruis Hall, was skeptical when the rapper approached him about renting out the venue.
"When I first presented the idea his first question was, 'Are we going to need more security?'" Armstead said. "He thought a hip-hop show would draw an audience that would start trouble and that it wouldn't sell tickets."
Armstead, who took out a loan to pay for the performance, said that Myers was also worried he wouldn't be able to come up with the money if the show flopped.
"It didn't bother me," Armstead said. "I just put in the down payment and left it at that."
Although it is common for student organizations to rent out the auditorium it is very rare for an individual to do so.
Myers said many students come to him and ask about performing at Emens. The vast majority end up going someplace else because of the cost and other factors.
"We have 100 events a year," Myers said. "A lot of times people don't get the times they want. Someone might ask for a Saturday in October, but all the Saturdays are full."
Armstead said his performance Saturday will be different than most hip hop shows, which the rapper said is a good thing.
"Usually it's just three or four guys rapping," Armstead said. "[At the show] there's actually going to be a lot of stuff going on, things that tie in with the songs. I'll be doing the music but I'll be doing other stuff."
Armstead said he is often disappointed when he goes to hip hop concerts.
"The hip hop entertainers, I just don't think they're very good as far as entertaining goes," he said. "I'd rather go see Usher or Beonce, somebody that's going to dance or do something."
The show starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at Emens Auditorium. Tickets are $15 and are available online at ticketmaster.com or at the door.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
