Dave Matthews, John Mayer also perform in benefit concert in wake of VT shootings
By Elizabeth Aguilar
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/7/07 – After Bill O’Reilly attacked Virginia Tech for allowing Nas to perform at a free concert, Nas shot back via MTV News. And last night during the benefit concert, Nas shot back again; his final song “Hate Me Now,” was dedicated to O’Reilly.
““He’s a racist,” Nas told MTV News. “Everybody has a marketing plan; his marketing plan is racism.”
Nas was part of a memorial concert last night at Virginia Tech, where 33 people were killed in April. He performed along with John Mayer, Phil Vassar and headliner Dave Matthews. According to The Roanoke Times, there were about 50,000 people in attendance at the home of Virginia Tech football, Lane Stadium who soundly cheered on Nas and the other performers.
University officials told the media that they received positive feedback for the concert lineup despite O’Reilly’s disapproval and an editorial in the school newspaper stating that it would be a poor choice for Nas to sing about guns and violence.
But Nas said he can relate to the violence that shocked the country last spring.
“Somebody like me who knows it firsthand and could relate,” Nas said. “I had a best friend killed, plenty other friends killed. I been through it. I seen it. My music reflects reality. I think that’s what makes it important that I come through and show love to those people [at Virginia Tech].”
Nas responded to the television and radio personality after O’Reilly criticized the decision of Virginia Tech’s President Charles W. Steger to allow Nas to perform. Referring to Nas as “Nazz” on his Fox News show, O’Reilly said it was an “abomination” and “atrocity” to allow Nas to sing violent lyrics at the school.
“Having a rapper who trades in violence perform at Virginia Tech insults the victims, the university and the entire commonwealth,” O’Reilly said on his show.
Nas, however, sees O’Reilly’s words as just another way the talk show host makes his money. The controversial O’Reilly has previously attacked Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.
“He has an image to uphold,” Nas told MTV news. “It’s what he’s supposed to do.”
O’Reilly, Nas continued, doesn’t understand the younger generation. He added that the notorious O’Reilly was someone who needs to be taught right.
“It just shows you what bloodsuckers do,” Nas said. “They abuse something like the Virginia Tech [tragedy] for show ratings. You can’t talk to a person like that.”
But O’Reilly wasn’t the only one who disapproved of Nas performing last night. Some family members of the victims of Virginia Tech also showed their displeasure. According to The Roanoke Times, while many students danced and held up one finger along with Nas, some in attendance chose to sit down during his set.
But for the most part, reporters noted that concert goers had a good time. The show proved to be a pivotal step in helping alumni, students, staff and community members move on and start the new school year.
“It seems to be important to be with a large group,” town resident Jackie Rosche told The Roanoke Times. “It gives you a feeling of family.”
The four-hour concert took around $1 million to produce, but the proceeds from $65 public tickets, corporate and club sponsorships and memorabilia sales would help pay for the cost.
Many of the performers wore Virginia Tech colors, maroon and burnt orange. Matthews, who started his career by playing at frat parties at another Virginia college, said he would play at the university after the massacre occurred earlier this year. University spokeswoman Cecelia Hovis told the Associated Press that Matthews chose the lineup to represent the diversity of the student body.
“I figure memories are always good to have, Matthews said as the concert began. “And good ones are always the best.”
About 45,000 students, 2007 alumni, faculty, staff, first responders and victim’s families received free tickets to the event,