Colorado Mesa University is bringing Blackbear and Skizzy Mars to campus for the 2020 spring concert.

The concert, being held on April 18, is free for CMU students, and presale tickets for community members are tentatively priced at $30, with more being charged at the door.

Blackbear, who is being paid an estimated $75,000 for the concert, is a 29 year-old hip-hop artist most known for his hits like “do re mi” and “Hot Girl Bummer,” from 2017 and 2020, respectively. He’s also produced songs for G-Eazy, Justin Beiber and Linkin Park, among other artists.

Skizzy Mars, who is under contract for an estimated $15,000, is a 26 year-old rap artist that will serve as the opening act. The artists have been in contract talks since at least December.

CMU’s Programming and Activities Council (PAC) made the announcement at pub night on February 20.

“I really want to see the concert come back alive [. . .] this year, we really just wanted to improve the concert, put the image out there that we put on big, good concerts, and that’s something that students come to,” Assistant Director of Student Life Avery Cantrell said. 

The concert last year drew an attendance figure of over 6,000.

There was discussion of moving the concert to Ralph Stocker Stadium, but the price ultimately proved to be too large. “We want to spend the most money on talent,” Cantrell said.

There was also talk of inviting a country artist, but that was tabled given that Grand Junction already hosts Country Jam in June. 

“I just hope that students will have a good time, and have a good experience, and just realize what it means to be a part of CMU,” PAC member Jack Holt said.