J. Cole, Reflection Eternal And More Live At Rutgersfest 2010 Concert Recap

via Rutgers school newspaper The Daily Targum

About 30,000 people made their way to Livingston campus to join the Rutgers University Programming Association, Rutgers University Student Assembly and Student Life Friday for its annual Rutgersfest.

This year’s Rutgersfest lineup featured artists Brand New, Talib Kweli, J. Cole and P.O.S., as well as Battle of the Bands winner Reality Addiction.

“Rutgersfest has been in the making for about a year,” RUPA President Ana Castillo said. “It’s been a long time since we have had this many performers, so I think it is going to be fun for everyone. Hopefully everyone will enjoy it, because we do have a good mix of people.”

Students shared their views on the artists and events at the concert.

“Brand New was definitely my favorite part,” School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Alissa Jayne said. “Honestly, I have never even heard of any of the other acts, and then I downloaded some Talib Kweli, and I loved him. He was awesome.”

But not everyone agreed with Jayne.

Livingston College senior Desron Dorest said the lineup was sub-par in comparison to past Rutgersfests.

“If they had a more diverse lineup, I think it would have been a little bit better,” he said.

Still, Dorest said he had fun, and the event is not only about the musical lineup.
“[It was good] that everybody was able to stay here, and it was a great day out,” he said. “We don’t want to leave, so it was a good thing.”

During the concert, hip-hop artist J. Cole climbed down from the stage to meet the fans in the front row.

“I just try to understand that maybe next year, I won’t be able to do this, you know,” J. Cole said after the show. “Maybe I won’t have fans, or next year I will be too big to take the time out, so while I still can do it, I try to show as much love as possible.”

J. Cole, 25, is the first artist to sign with rapper Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation.

“I love playing college shows. I feel like I know these people, you know, I went to school with these people in a sense,” he said. “I feel like I know them well.”

For some students, Rutgersfest does more than just mark the end of a year at the University. It is an event to bring the University together for one last time before the semester ends.

Photos Here:
Rutgersfest 2010 - The NJ Underground