This year, University Union is paying attention to the musical wishes of Syracuse University’s student body.

Pop star Ke$ha received the highest number of votes on UU’s Block Party student survey, demonstrating student desire to experience a high-profile, top-40 artist in the Carrier Dome. By bringing Ke$ha to campus, UU is providing those who took the time to tell UU what they want with exactly what they asked for.

Selecting Ke$ha, and therefore adhering to the student survey, contrasts with last year’s Block Party headliner selection process and final choice of DJ Kaskade. In the 2012 student survey, the electronic dance music genre was ranked second following hip-hop and rap.

This choice caused some students to call on then-Student Association President Dylan Lustig to intervene with the situation, and many expressed their dislike for DJ-style concerts.

Students have also vocalized their complaints in recent years concerning the lack of diversity among overall artist selections for the several concerts UU puts on each year.

Ke$ha’s musical style succeeds in diversifying the group of past artists who have played at UU concerts. Her pop-style music with an edge should appeal to many in the campus and regional Syracuse community.

In the past, UU has brought many artists to campus who have been on the verge of success in the music world, instead of artists at the peak of their careers.

But Ke$ha is arguably in her prime, with several hit songs on top-40 radio stations today.

This pop star is an especially appropriate choice for the Class of 2013, as Ke$ha’s career took off in 2009 with the release of her debut single “Tik Tok” weeks before this year’s seniors began their freshman year.

Though it is nearly impossible to satisfy each and every SU student’s musical taste with the Block Party headliner choice, UU officials made the best choice for the majority by adhering to the survey.

Published on April 2, 2013 at 1:50 am

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