It may be the day after Halloween, but the Concert Board has one more treat in store for the campus: Tonight, at 9 p.m. in Dewick, rappers Method Man and Saigon will come to Tufts. Headliner Method Man has a long history in the rap industry, while opener Saigon is an accomplished rapper who has just recently gained mainstream notoriety after his stint on the popular HBO series "Entourage."
The reaction to this one-night opportunity to see two rap heavyweights has been extremely positive, according to junior and Concert Board Co-Chair Devra Bergman. "The fact that tickets sold out in about six hours says it all. I can't remember the last time a Concert Board show sold out that quickly," she said.
The tickets were a hot commodity to get, largely due to their price. Tickets sold for $8; a concert with a rapper like Method Man usually costs at least three times as much. "It took a little effort to secure the deal, but Method [and his agent] were really cooperative," Bergman said. "We're really appreciative that he's coming."
Apparently, the campus is, too. The day of the ticket sale was characterized by long lines clogging the Campus Center foyer, as students waited for a chance to get a stub. "Everyone seems to be really excited about it," Bergman said. "People who I hardly know are congratulating Concert Board, which is really nice to hear."
Method Man's celebrity has been some years in the making. His career started as a member of the rap group Wu-Tang Clan in 1993. He had one of the few solo tracks on the debut album in "Method Man," with its infamous intro describing in graphic detail how Method Man would torture someone if he got the chance.
As Wu-Tang shot to rap stardom, Method Man did as well. The group served as his launching board as he made his way into the rap industry. He became known for his powerful flow and sense of humor, as well as his distinct voice, which gave the rhymes on each of his songs a fresh sound.
Method Man later signed with Def Jam records and released a string of successful albums. He has also guest starred on a number of tracks by other artists, such as Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes and The Notorious B.I.G.
After the commercial failure of his last album, "Tical 0: The Prequel" (2004), his newest release earlier this year, "4:21 ... The Day After," is a return to Method Man's former self. He shies away from the more radio-friendly songs on "Tical 0: The Prequel," and the result is something that hearkens back to the Wu-Tang Clan days.
The album features guest appearances from artists such as Ginuwine, Fat Joe, Lauryn Hill and a posthumous appearance by fellow Wu-Tang Clan member ODB. RZA, another member of Wu-Tang, had a hand in the production of many tracks, but only one of his cuts made the final album.
As successful as Method Man's career has been in the music realm, he's also branched out into other media. He has proven himself a competent actor in a range of movies, spanning from the gritty drama "Belly" (1998) to the stoner classic "How High" (2001), where he appeared alongside fellow rapper Redman. He's even been featured in video games, most recently "Def Jam: Fight for NY" (2004).
Method Man even had his own television show, "Method and Red," on Fox for a short time in 2004.
"Method and Red" detailed his exploits alongside Redman as they tried to fit into a residential neighborhood. Method Man's also appeared on the other end of the television spectrum, appearing in the forceful and critically acclaimed HBO crime drama "The Wire."
The excitement for Method Man has seemed to tap into a deeper appreciation for rap music on campus.
"After this positive response, I hope that we'll get more big rappers, since that seems to be what the population of Tufts wants," Bergman said.
