“I love his energy — he’s fun to listen to, and I love his songs,” Krantz said. “(Coming to MSU) shows his love for this area and you know, (your)hometown is kind of like your roots and where you’re from — you’re supposed to support where you’re from.”

Posner, a Michigan-native, performed Wednesday night at the Auditorium. After opening with his popular song “Please Don’t Go,” he grabbed the microphone, turned to the crowd and smiled.
“It feels good to be home,” he said.

Steve Marino, external vice chairman for the Student Assembly of ASMSU, said ASMSU was excited to bring a talent such as Posner to campus.

ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.

In the past year, ASMSU has brought artist and performers to campus such as Canadian rapper Drake and comedian Conan O’Brien.

Marino said there’s a large demand for entertainment on campus and ASMSU tries to fill that void with shows to pique students’ interest.

“When he was at (The Fillmore Detroit), they sold out a 2,800 capacity in a matter of hours,” Marino said. “It’s great to see a local talent on the cusp of success.”

Posner said in an email that performing at MSU feels like a hometown show and he was excited for the opportunity to come back.

He previously performed at MSU in April 2010 with Drake and again in September with Detroit artist Big Sean and hip-hop trio Fly.Union.

“East Lansing was the first place in the world to support my music,” Posner said. “Without everyone’s love at (Michigan) State, there is absolutely no way I would be able to live my dreams the way I am.”

California singer Kelley James opened for Posner and brought a freestyle mix of rock and rap to warm up the crowd.

Before Posner took the stage, Cliff Skighwalker hyped the crowd and brought MSU to its feet for the popular singer.

Skighwalker, a communication senior and personal friend of Posner, said he met Posner in 2007 and they’ve worked together through Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique in Royal Oak, Mich. Posner still wears a patch for Burn Rubber on his trademark varsity jacket.

Skighwalker said Posner is humble and grateful for the success he’s had, but he remains hungry to
grow as an artist and as a person.

“A show like this is my favorite (type of) show because it’s one of my friends who’s an artist who’s doing amazing in this industry,” Skighwalker said. “It’s crazy to see that that’s as far as he’s grown as an artist.”

For Posner, the show at MSU was successful as he brought a hometown flavor to a crowd hinging on his every word.

“In the last year I’ve been so fortunate to be in the studio with guys like (Big) Sean, (Lil’ Wayne), Wiz (Khalifa), Bruno Mars and a few I can’t tell you about yet,” Posner said.

“I’m so blessed to have incredible friends and family surrounding me. Many of my best friends are Spartans.”