It isn't often that a top Billboard artist chooses to perform for free at a college campus after midnight, but rap artist Chingy did just that Friday night.
MSU students waited two hours in Adams Field to be entertained by the rap star.
Chingy is known for his recent hit "Pullin' Me Back," which featured Tyrese.
"We wanted name recognition and a top show," Cathy Carson, University Activities Board, or UAB, assistant manager said. "Chingy was willing to perform at 12:30 in the morning."
As part of a number of activities for Welcome Week, the University Activities Board, or UAB, along with the city of East Lansing and University Housing, hosted the event.
"Everyone is always out and about during (Welcome Week), and with our resources we wanted to have something fun for students to do," said Rachel Bomeli, UAB director of special events.
A former member of rapper Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace camp, Chingy is best known for hit songs like "Right Thurr," "Holidae In" and "One Call Away."
Chingy performed to promote his latest album "Hoodstar," which is due in stores Sept. 19.
Bomeli estimated about 3,500 students attended the concert.
Simendea Preston, a human biology junior, said she enjoyed the free event.
"It was a good way to start the new semester," Preston said. "We do need more events like this around campus."
Carson said the group understands students' want for free entertainment on campus.
Along with UAB, the free concert also was sponsored by Comcast, Fuse TV, the Spartan Bookstore, WJIM (97.5-FM), the MSU Federal Credit Union, Spartan Signature Catering, the Student Alumni Foundation, ASMSU, Dean Transportation and Classic Caddy Limousines.
Students were also introduced to Rev. Right Time, an up-and-coming artist from Flint whose George Clinton funk-inspired sound entertained the crowd before Chingy's appearance.
"We saw this as a way to introduce students to our organization for the first time and to show that we work with the City of East Lansing," Carson said.
UAB is mostly known around campus for putting on events such as Campus Center Cinemas, U-Fest and craft nights held in the Union.
"We will plan larger and flashier shows in the future that will definitely surprise some people," Carson said.
