Hip-hop fans, concert enthusiasts and people who just like to party: get excited. This week, the Colgate Activities Board (CAB) Music Committee announced that Lupe Fiasco has been selected as the headlining act for the annual Spring Party Weekend concert this April, and that the winner of the upcoming Battle of the Bands will open for him.

The CAB Music Committee began the process of selecting an artist early on in the year. At their first meeting, members of the committee, which is open to all Colgate students, threw out the names of any and all artists they wanted to see at SPW. After ruling out options whose availability or cost conflicted with Colgate’s constraints, the committee voted on the remaining options.

This year, according to CAB Music Committee co-chair sophomore Allyson Poulos, Lupe Fiasco was the clear favorite, followed distantly by Umphrey’s McGee and Blues Traveler. The committee unanimously agreed that Lupe Fiasco had not only the bigger name pull of all the artists, but also would serve up the right kind of upbeat music to make for a great concert.

Lupe Fiasco, much like Kanye West and T.I., falls into a category of popular rappers who artfully layer synthesized beats with inventive vocal samplings, while carrying the song with lyrics that attempt to tackle the pressing issues of a young hip-hopper’s life. Lupe’s two efforts, 2006’s Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor and 2007’s Lupe Fiasco’s the Cool offered up hits like “Daydreamin'” and “Superstar,” which Poulos ensures will be played at the concert. Poulos also hinted that, along with old favorites, the Colgate crowd might get a taste of Lupe’s newest album, which is rumored to be released sometime this spring.