Curren$y to perform at Gearfest music festival


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USC’s Black Student Assembly announced Tuesday that rapper Curren$y will headline this year’s Gearfest.

Shante Scott Franklin, who performs under the stage name Curren$y, has collaborated with multiple high-profile acts including Rick Ross and Wiz Khalifa. Known mostly for his mixtapes, Curren$y released his first studio album This Ain’t No Mixtape in 2009, receiving positive critical feedback. He performed at Coachella.

Lamar Gary, the executive director of BSA, said the organization chose Curren$y as a headliner because the artist embodies the traits that he hoped festival attendees would aspire to. He also represented Gearfest’s theme of “Dreamin’ of Destiny.”

“Curren$y fit the theme well because a lot of his music talks about upward mobility and being above the nonsense, which is all about the ‘Dreamin’ of Destiny’ theme,” Gary said. “Because he talks about that in his music and infuses elements of jazz and a chill vibe, he was the absolute best pick.”

Some students responded positively to the headliner selection.

“I like the fact that USC is showcasing upcoming artists. I’m excited to see the performance,” said Chris Raidy, a senior majoring in business administration.

The Gearfest concert and fashion show, which focuses on art and clothes representative of the various stages of the college experience, will be held jointly with Springfest for the first time this year.

Gearfest will also be featuring artists Rippy Austin and Rhyon Brown, as well as designers J.D Luxe, Chinyere and others. In past years, Jhene Aiko, Bruno Mars, Travie McCoy and Omarion have performed.

Gary said the act will offer attendees a cultural aspect to the festival.

“Gearfest is its own show within Springfest. It provides a deeper element of culture we wanted to bring to the student body,” Gary said.

Both events are slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. on April 6 on McCarthy Quad. Springfest headliners include Big Sean, A-Trak, Travis Barker and Mix Master Mike. Other performers include Walk the Moon, Capital Cities and Papa.

All students attending the festival will be required to show their student identification. Access to the festival is free.

 

Christina Schoellkopf and Jordyn Holman contributed to this report.