By: Sabrina Rosado and Reagan Grant
Rapper Rico Nasty performed for a crowd of Hunter and other CUNY students at a concert held at Terminal 5 on Apr. 12.
The concert, which buzzed with fans shouting the lyrics to Rico’s punk rap and trap metal music, was put together by Hunter’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG). The rapper played a set of 15 songs, including popular hits such as “Smack a Bitch” and “Key Lime OG” in Terminal 5, which has a capacity of 3,000 guests.
Hunter USG announced the concert on their Instagram account on the morning of Apr. 9. Tickets went on sale that same day, and were also sold on campus later that week, which costed $10 each. The spring concert marks the first time in several years that USG attempted to coordinate such an affair. Rapper ASAP Ferg was scheduled to perform for Hunter in 2020, but the event was ultimately canceled due to the pandemic.
Despite Hunter USG promoting it only a few days prior, planning for the concert was an extensive process. Sofia Rothermel, Hunter USG’s Evening Affairs Commissioner, said that planning for the event started in June 2023.
Phone cameras go up before Rico Nasty hits the stage. (Photo Credit: Sabrina Rosado)
Rothermel was given a list of artists to choose from by the Office of Student Activities and picked a few she felt that “students would enjoy.” She wanted someone that they knew was a performer and could “bring the energy.”
“Because we are a public school, many people believe there is no chance of getting the ‘college experience,’” Rothermel said. “Just because we are a commuter school does not mean students can’t have fun outside of their classes.”
Ultimately, Rico Nasty’s energetic stage presence is what made Rothermel choose her as the headliner. She wanted to provide students with a night that would enhance their college social lives.
Some students who attended appreciated its affordability as it provided easier access to a music event.
“Most of us are broke or struggling college students, so I think that is very helpful if you can’t see them on a grand stage like Madison Square Garden or Barclays,” said Netta Parkinson, a student at John Jay College.
Parkinson, a casual Rico Nasty listener who gravitated to the rapper’s unapologetic personality, thought the event was a good opportunity to de-stress and CUNY students a break from their academics.
(Photo Credit: Reagan Grant)
Juniper Sokoloe, a member of Hunter’s USG Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee who helped operate the event, said the inspiration behind the concert was to bring the Hunter community together since it is often criticized for lacking school spirit in comparison to other colleges.
“Schools with more resources or prestige tend to have spring concerts,” said Sokoloe. “As Hunter students we’ve kind of looked on like ‘Wow! I wish our school did that.’”
The concert attracted a diverse crowd of students. Many were dressed in alternative and edgy makeup and clothing reflective of Rico’s punk aesthetic and “sugar trap” musical sound.
(Photo Credit: Sabrina Rosado)
News of the concert took many students by surprise as they didn’t expect someone as popular as Rico Nasty to be headlining a concert at a CUNY school.
“It was so out of the ordinary! I was not expecting them to bring out such a good artist and for such a good price,” said Sasha Hill, a City College student. “I’m hyped, like I’m still so shocked!”
Feelings of elation were a common theme amongst concert-goers like Hill, a self-proclaimed “huge Rico Nasty fan,” who has been listening to her music since the 2017 album, “Sugar Trap 2.”
With a smile on her face after the concert, Hill rated her overall experience.
“Infinity and beyond!” she said.
The Envoy 
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