Post by RickyKnoCCout on Aug 3, 2007 8:46:18 GMT -5
Nas Confirmed For Free Virginia Tech Concert, But Parents Are Angry
Published: Friday - August 3, 2007
Nas is among the headliners confirmed to perform at "A Concert for Virginia Tech," set for September 6 on the university's Blacksburg campus.
The free concert for Virginia Tech students has been put together to help the community past the tragic April shootings, but instead, it has parents outrages over the addition of Nas.
According to the Washington Post, a spokesperson for one of the victims' families said that parents are angry that the September concert held at the university would include a rapper with lyrics such "Shoot 'em up, just shoot 'em up, what?" followed by whispers of "Kill, kill, kill, murder, murder, murder," referring to words from the song "Shoot 'Em Up" from his 1999 album, Nastradamus.
The lyrics "are indicative of the moral decay in our society that contributes to acts of violence," said Vincent J. Bove, a New Jersey security expert who has volunteered to speak for the families. "For a university official to condone it or to be clueless of what this person's track record is, it's unconscionable beyond belief."
Despite the families' concern, University officials say they've received nothing but positive response since they announced the concert's line-up recently and have no plans to change it.
"Literally within minutes of the announcement, we received a tremendous positive response," said Chris Clough, a spokesman for the university. "Among those who have responded have been families who thought it was a tremendously positive note to start the academic year."
In addition to Nas, the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer are also confirmed to perform.
According to the concert's official website, all students enrolled for the fall 2007 semester -- as well as all Virginia Tech faculty and staff -- will be eligible for one free ticket.
Published: Friday - August 3, 2007
Nas is among the headliners confirmed to perform at "A Concert for Virginia Tech," set for September 6 on the university's Blacksburg campus.
The free concert for Virginia Tech students has been put together to help the community past the tragic April shootings, but instead, it has parents outrages over the addition of Nas.
According to the Washington Post, a spokesperson for one of the victims' families said that parents are angry that the September concert held at the university would include a rapper with lyrics such "Shoot 'em up, just shoot 'em up, what?" followed by whispers of "Kill, kill, kill, murder, murder, murder," referring to words from the song "Shoot 'Em Up" from his 1999 album, Nastradamus.
The lyrics "are indicative of the moral decay in our society that contributes to acts of violence," said Vincent J. Bove, a New Jersey security expert who has volunteered to speak for the families. "For a university official to condone it or to be clueless of what this person's track record is, it's unconscionable beyond belief."
Despite the families' concern, University officials say they've received nothing but positive response since they announced the concert's line-up recently and have no plans to change it.
"Literally within minutes of the announcement, we received a tremendous positive response," said Chris Clough, a spokesman for the university. "Among those who have responded have been families who thought it was a tremendously positive note to start the academic year."
In addition to Nas, the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer are also confirmed to perform.
According to the concert's official website, all students enrolled for the fall 2007 semester -- as well as all Virginia Tech faculty and staff -- will be eligible for one free ticket.
