New York rapper Rich The Kid and Rhode Island reality television personality DJ Pauly D, of “Jersey Shore” fame, performed at Central Connecticut State University on April 20.
From 8-11 p.m., students, faculty and guests were elated as the 2024 Spring Concert, “The New Wave,” commenced.
Central Activities Network, Student Government Association, Africana Students Organization and the Latin American Students Organization sponsored and held the beach-themed event at Detrick Gymnasium inside Harrison J. Kaiser Hall.
Before the concert took off, the campus held the Boardwalk Market Pop-Up, selling vintage clothing, handmade accessories, and food. There were also inflatable toys and a photo booth for taking pictures.
Clothing vendor and former CCSU student Raya Pons, professionally known as Silk Switchblade, said she enjoyed selling her clothes in such a fun atmosphere as the Boardwalk Market.
“I love the interactive games and the beach theme, it gives off the positive summer vibes that we all need right now,” Pons said.
Freshman Jackson Sloan said the Boardwalk Market was a good time, and the vendors had a boatload of interesting clothes to purchase.
“I didn’t have any cash on me, but there were a ton of different things I would’ve bought,” Sloan said. “I also had a lot of fun with the blowup structures like the little obstacle course and the slide.”
At the main event, Rich The Kid went up first and played his biggest and most classic hits, including “New Freezer,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Plug Walk,” to the number one single on Billboard Hot 100, “Carnival” by Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign, which he played three times.
CCSU student Jayden Meier said that getting last-minute tickets was a blessing in disguise, and he got to shake hands with Rich the Kid.
“I was chilling in the front row, and the man himself, Rich the Kid, decided to come up to the gate and dap me up,” Meier said. “I got the whole thing on video, so it’s a moment I can relive forever.”
Rich The Kid stayed on an extra few minutes to play “Carnival” again, which partially hindered the start of DJ Pauly D’s set.
Noah Derby said Rich The Kid had his hype up the whole night.
“The boosted bass could have knocked out my eardrums but that’s fine because the set was lit,” Derby said.
Pauly D went on stage and greeted the audience. He then put on a show where he played the definitive bops of the past 20 years.
Student Raina Kemper said she enjoyed the show and it was a blast.
“The energy was present in the room,” Kemper said. “Sadly, Pauly was late, but it was still a great time.”
Freshman Nicholas Carroccio said the show was well-planned and was a perfect way to round out the school year. He said he hopes to see more big acts on campus to come.
“It was cool. I think they could get Baby Keem or someone like that for next year,” Carroccio said.
Student Elijah Smith said that CCSU fumbled by picking artists nobody listens to anymore, and they should’ve chosen someone who is relevant to the youth today.
“I feel they had a lot of potential for some artists that people listen to now, like 41, Lil Tjay, or even Sleepy Hallow,” Smith said. I feel like they had so many options for artists, and they chose one that people would’ve gone crazy over six years ago.”
It is rumored that Rich The Kid will release his fourth studio album, “Life’s A Gamble,” in 2024 after not releasing a studio album in over four years. DJ Pauly D continues to travel around the world deejaying, starring on MTV’s “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation” and narrating “All-Star Shore” alongside Snooki on Paramount+.
DJ Pauly D declined to speak about the event, but in an interview with James Clark, metal director on 107.7 WFCS The Edge, Rich The Kid said he’s ecstatic to share his new record with the world and hopes fans understand that the wait will be worth it.
“It’s a project I’ve been working on for like three years so I put everything into it, for sure,” Rich The Kid said.
