Turning up on a Monday

Just nine days before country artist “The Eli Young Band” comes to campus, Chadron State College is bringing a fresh style to campus – hip hop. 

Ali Tomineek, a 22-year-old rapper of Phoenix will perform a concert, Monday, in the Student Center Ballroom at 2 p.m. as part of CSC’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities.

“My goal is to turn it up, it’s what we do all the time when we perform, just give great energy,” Tomineek said, “My performance is more of a conversation rather than just a performance. It’s a give-and-take, I give something to the audience, and they give me their energy back. It’s a mutual type of fun that we’re going to have.”

Monday’s concert is Tomineek’s first time coming to Nebraska, but excitement is on the young artist’s mind, “I’m excited, it’s awesome to have you guys reach out and want me to come and use my platform and talk to the school. I’ve never been to Nebraska, so I want to see the culture and what everything is like,” Tomineek said.

He made an appearance in the romance film “High Strung Free Dance” and Netflix’s “Rhythm + Flow” in 2019. Along with these appearances, he earned awards such as Phoenix New Times’ “Best Rapper” 2017, HAPA Awards’ “Breakout artist of the year”, California Legislature Community Service Award, and more. 

With over 122 thousand subscribers, Tomineek actively produces musical content on his YouTube channel, the most popular being “Yikes part one” with over 394 thousand views. He intends on making a video about his visit to the campus.

Social Science Club Treasurer Cody Madrigal, of Lincoln, mentioned the need for diversity in campus guest performers at a Senate meeting in November.

“We thought the African American culture on campus was under-represented as in bringing in people,” Madrigal said, “Social Science Club wanted to step up and bring in someone different than the school was bringing in.”

“I’m honored to even be a part of MLK’s celebration and being awarded the keynote speaker,” Tomineek said.

The Eli Young Band concert, previously canceled due to weather, will be back on campus and performing Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Nelson Physical Activity Center.

You can purchase tickets for  $15 from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Memorial Hall Box Office.