Dustin McQuaid is a fan of Mac Miller’s music — but when it comes to Miller’s stage presence, he said “now, that’s a homerun.”
Miller will return to State College for a concert stop in his Macadelic tour at 8 tonight at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Come Up and The Cool Kids will open for the Pennsylvania based rapper, born Malcolm McCormick.
“Penn State holds a special place in my heart because it was the first college I preformed at a long time ago,” Mac Miller said.
The Cool Kids have worked with Asher Roth and Ghostface Killah, while The Come Up has been said to be the next big thing from Pittsburgh.
Known especially by the college crowd for his party hits like “Donald Trump” and “Party on Fifth Ave” — and recently, his mix tape “Macadelic” released just a few weeks ago — Miller has also made a mark in the music scene with his quirky music videos.
Miller McCormick, Mac Miller’s brother and Penn State student, described his new music and what can be expected out of the performance tonight.
“Macadelic’s sound is heavier and more mature,” McCormick (senior-graphic design) said. “As for the tour itself, they brought in a really cool animation team who did a lot of background visuals… The whole production is a step up.”
McCormick collaborated with RedTape design in Brooklyn, N.Y., for the creation of the “Macadelic” mix tape cover art.
Mac Miller said working with people close to him, like his brother, is what he likes to do since it is easier, more fun and comfortable.
To make the event more appealing, BJC intern Victoria Maggio worked with fellow interns to create a freestyle video competition for Miller fans. The finalists were awarded a pair of tickets to attend the concert, while the winner gets the chance to meet him after the show.
“Mac Miller’s management was willing to view videos and give away meet-and-greets,” Maggio (junior-public relations and integrative arts) said.
The rules for the contest were to make a video of a 30 to 45 second rap freestyle to showcase the entry’s individual talent, she said.
Casey Barnett, a student who also happened to be the only girl entered in the contest, was chosen as the winner and could not be happier.
Barnett (senior-kinesiology) originally planned on going to the concert either way, but she said she entered the contest to meet Miller, whose music always puts her in a good mood.
She occasionally does mock-freestyle battles with her friends, she added.
“I’ve never won this type of contest before,” Barnett said. “It was a fun experience to work with my best friend on the video, and now I get to congratulate Mac Miller [on his performance] in person after his show.”
McQuaid (senior-telecommunications), one of 10 finalists in the freestyle contest, said he saw Miller live when Miller opened for Wiz Khalifa last April at the BJC.
As a self-declared rapper and a producer at radio station B94.5 FM, McQuaid said Miller’s music is relatable. McQuaid also said Miller is someone who has “made it” — his accomplishments include two Woodie Awards from MTV and recent recognition on a Forbes “30 under 30” list.
Chris Carmody , another contest finalist, said he likes Miller’s “flow, overall swag and the fact that he does his own thing.”
“He’s not trying to be someone else,” Carmody (freshman-telecommunications) said.
