Preview

Jason Derulo to Headline High Point's Spring Concert

By Emma Barnett

DETAILS 

What: High Point University's Spring Concert featuring Jason Derulo
When: April 5, 2014
Where: Roberts Hall Lawn, High Point University, 833 Montlieu Ave.
Tickets: Free for all HPU students and their invited guests
Info: High Point University Website

Jason Derulo is placing a hold on his world tour to preform for High Point University students.

Derulo, 24, started his music career in 2006 at the age of 16.  In just a few weeks, he will be headlining the HPU Spring Concert.

Emma Riley, Vice President of the Campus Activities Team at HPU, had a hand in picking Derulo for the Spring Concert.

"Some of the members of C.A.T. ( including myself) had seen him in concert previously and thought he might be a good choice to bring to campus" Riley stated excitedly.

Just three days before the concert on April 5th, Derulo is scheduled to preform at the MHP Arena in

Ludwigsburg, Germany, at an almost sold out show.

Derulo preforming in Zurich during his Tattoos World Tour.
Photo Credit: Jason Derulo

 "Having an artist on a world tour, actually deters us from signing a contract with many of the artists that we pick to come to campus," Riley explains some of the difficulties when picking the artist for the concert. "We have had multiple people say that they cannot come because they have other concerts scheduled."

But do students know that Derulo is flying home from Germany to preform for them? 

"I had no idea!" Michelle North, a student at HPU, reacts to the news. "I think that's so cool that he is willing to take time away from his world tour to
come to High Point and preform for us." 

North explains that she is more excited for the concert now then she was before.

Even the guests of students who are visiting for the concert are reacting to the news.  Philip Kuldell, a visiting student from Salisbury University in Maryland was excited when he was invited to the concert.

"That's so cool that Jason Derulo is going to do that for High Point. I was pumped before but now I'm like super pumped," Kuldell exclaimed. 

Derulo started his career writing songs for artists including Lil Wayne, Sean Kingston and Cassie.  In 2006, he won the grand prize on the season finale of the TV show Showtime at the Apollo.  He was discovered by a music producer, who signed him to Beluga Heights Records and Warner Bros. Records. 

Three years later, Derulo released his debut single, "Whatcha Say". In August 2009, the song debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the number one top hit by November 2009.

In early 2010, Derulo released his debut album Jason Derülo, which quickly topped the charts in the United Kingdom and Ireland. 

"I can't believe that he started at such a young age," North says, "He isn't much older than I am and he is already world famous.  What am I doing with my life right now?" 

Since 2010, Derulo has released two more studio albums, Future History (2011) and Tattoos (2013). 

With 16 singles, almost all of them in the top 100 hits, students are starting to get really excited for April 5th and hopefully, so is Derulo.

"The fact that he agreed to participate in a meet in greet leads me to believe that he is very excited to come to High Point," Riley explains.

High Point University's Spring Concert will be April 5th, 2014.  Ticket information for HPU students and their guests can be found on the High Point website.