College students flocked to the Gramercy Theatre for Baruch’s Spring Fling on April 10, starring headliner Cash Cobain and featuring two Baruch student openers: DJ WM and Kemmii.
The student-run radio station of Baruch College revived the spring concert in 2023, after a four-year break beginning in 2019. This year’s event marked the first time Gramercy was the host venue, which many considered an upgrade from past flings held in the Baruch gymnasium.
Tickets were approximately $7 for Baruch students, $12 for CUNY students, and $23 for non-CUNY college students. A college ID was required to attend.
A new venue was not the only surprise to Baruch students, as news of a last-minute headliner change spread. At 1:25 p.m., WBMB announced via Instagram that rapper Soulja Boy, the previously promoted main act, would not be performing. Instead, Cash Cobain would be taking his place.
The announcement was accompanied by two videos via Instagram story, one from Soulja Boy apologizing for missing out, and one from Cash Cobain. Cash’s video was recorded at an airport, where he let fans know he canceled a flight to the Turks and Caicos Islands to perform at Gramercy.
The swap-out was received positively by many students, with several comments under the announcement post considering Cash an “upgrade.”
WBMB offered refunds to ticket holders, which provided an opportunity for those on the 100-person waitlist to get a chance to see the new act.
Despite the news hours before the show, at 6 p.m., the doors opened to a sold-out crowd of students ready to enter with digital tickets and a college ID.
After a brief moment to grab free water, soda, and snacks provided, attendees were quickly greeted by WMBM Vice President Justin Calzodo.
The show opened to cheers with a set performed by DJ WM, Elan Tsyryulnikov, a Baruch student and club member of WBMB.
WM’s set first caught attention with the opening vocal notes from “Circle of Life” before quickly sliding into a set of high-energy dance music. WM kept the energy high with a mix spanning several eras and genres. There was a brief nod to the former headliner with “Pretty Boy Swag,” and later, the crowd was jumping under flashing lights to the 2023 K-pop hit “ETA.”
Baruch’s own singer-songwriter Kemuel Cuffy, known as Kemmii, strutted out to join a full band and backup singers. Under moody lighting, he performed several songs from his self-produced album “no hesitation,” including getting the crowd to sway and sing along to “Hey Mister.”
Several of Kemmii’s friends and supporters had come out to cheer him on. Joey Hodje, 24, a longtime friend, expressed how thrilled he was to watch Kemmii open for big names.
“It’s an honor and a privilege — like, no one is really doing what they’re doing right now,” He said. “They’re openly queer, you know, repping for the Butch queens out here. Beautiful vocals. It’s like Beyoncé next. Beyoncé is next.”
As Kemmii strutted off to cheers, the WMBM President, Reagan Rawner, along with the entire WMBM executive board, came out for a round of applause and a thank you from Cash’s manager.
Finally, after a brief and highly buzzed setup period, Cash Cobain walked out to green lights and a screaming crowd of outstretched hands rolling in a wave.
Cashmere Lavon Small, known professionally as Cash Cobain, is a Bronx-born producer turned rapper known for his style of “Sexy Drill.” Cash performed several songs off his album “PLAY CASH COBAIN,” including “Rump Punch,” “fisherrr,” and his latest single “Trippin on a Yacht.”
Cobain and his team, despite the last-minute appearance, made sure to fully engage with the college crowd, inviting three students on stage. Eleven students rushed the stage, thrilled to dance alongside the rapper.
Cash also brought out New Jersey artist B Jack$ to perform his latest single “Get Jiggy.” After his full set, a high-energy audience poured out onto 23rd Street.
“I got my tickets the minute I heard Soulja Boy was on, but hey, bro, we got Cash and that’s great enough for me, I love Cash,” Forty Nine, a Baruch student and Bearcat Creative, told The Ticker.
There was an appreciation for having a full lineup of NYC-based artists.
“At least we got somebody that relates to the New York City culture,” Forty Nine said.
