What: Hoodie Allen Concert
Where: Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center
When: Saturday, September 12th at 10 p.m.
Price: Free (must have PSU-UPark Student ID)
“We should take a walk someday. Dream about what we could’ve been. But I don’t wanna leave this place: no faith in Brooklyn”
These are not the words of Ivy League graduate Steven Markowitz, rather his alter ego and rap artist Hoodie Allen.
Although he was lyrically gifted from the beginning, Hoodie wasn’t always a rap icon. Before he smashed through the doors of the rap game, Hoodie was raised in a Jewish household, attended the Long Island School for the Gifted, graduated from UPenn with a degree in marketing and finance, and worked at Google.
While at UPenn, he released a few songs that earned him a reputation in the industry, but the best was yet to come. His career was exploding with live concerts, hours of writing lyrics each night, talking to the fans, and trying to be the best rapper he could be. As his success grew with each new YouTube view and he fully embraced the identity of Hoodie Allen, he quit his position at Google and iPods around the world instantly became a bit happier.
Hoodie, while known for his cunning word play and references to popular social icons, released his first couple of hits over samples from the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Ellie Goulding, and Two Door Cinema Club.
His first EP and most popular release to date, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Top 200 in 2012, featured a more confident and successful rapper. The EP, All American, debuted in the midst of his rising fame, evident in his lyrical references to his newfound wealth and popularity.
Are you part of the Hoodie Mob? If not, then you should be. These aren’t just avid followers of Hoodie’s music, but rather an extension of his marketing strategy: fans who pledge to promote Hoodie Allen and are assigned a certain duty are often rewarded with perks and a potential pre-show meet and greet.
Don’t miss your chance to see this incredible rapper live. We’ll be there, and so will you. See you there.
Photo credit: Penn State SPA
