Kent State students packed the Student Center Ballroom Thursday evening for Druski, a popular comedian and actor who headlined this year’s Undergraduate Student Government Homecoming show.
Over 600 Golden Flashes, some carrying “I love Druski” posters, filled the seats for an interactive show that opened with comedian Navv Greene. Once Druski took the stage, he brought his satirical “Coulda Been Records” show to life as a select group of students who auditioned for the performance joined him to show off their rapping, singing and dancing talents.
Ariane Robinson, director of programming for USG, spearheaded the event and said when selecting a headliner, she wanted to choose a comedian she thought most students would know.
“I was trying to think, ‘Okay, who would be someone that the general Kent State body would really like and could relate to?’” Robinson said. “When I selected Druski back in the summer, he had just been named by Complex magazine as the number one funniest person on the internet, so it kind of worked out.”
The internet star got started by posting comedy skits on Instagram taking on characters like a “frat bro” and a demanding record label executive. He later rose to fame after performing with artist Jack Harlow, and appearing in music videos with celebrities Lil Yachty and Drake.
In 2019, Druski launched his “Coulda Been Records” satirical talent-scouting show on Instagram Live, where he acts as a judgemental head of a record label searching for new talent. During the Homecoming performance, Kent State had their own version of the show.
Nearly 60 students wanting to participate submitted audition videos to 4Lifers, Druski’s brand for “Coulda Been Records.” His team, along with USG, selected a handful of students to deliver dances, rap battles and songs for his skit live on stage, and Druski either signed them to his “record” or sent them packing.
Haley Santos, a senior visual communication design major, and Brooklynn Seavers, a sophomore communication studies major, performed a freestyle hip-hop dance during the show. Seavers, who watches Druski’s “Coulda Been Records” videos, said she couldn’t pass up the chance to audition when she heard the comedian was coming to Kent.
“I’ve been a big Druski fan for a minute, so it’s just, like, ‘Let’s not get starstruck when I get up there,’” Seavers said. “I do like to dance and I don’t really get nervous, so I’m excited to see more of the crowd work rather than meet a celebrity.”
Agreeing with Seavers, Santos said she’s been anticipating the audience’s reactions to their performance and how Druski uses comedy to build the energy.
“I think the more the crowd works with us — the more they participate and are excited — it kind of pumps us up to have the energy to keep going,” Santos said.
For Delana Ray, a junior applied communication studies major, the Homecoming show fell on her birthday. As someone who watches Druski’s videos on social media, she said she admires his ability to interact with the audience and make each performance unique.
“I thought it was really funny and it raised my expectations,” Ray said. “He’s a very funny guy, and I like how he acts on stage and interacts with people.”
After the curtain closed, Robinson said the Homecoming show was the first event she’s programmed this year, and based on the excitement from students and reactions from the crowd, she feels it was a major success.
“Planning one of the biggest events of the semester is a really heavy title to take on,” Robinson said. “Being able to give back to the students, give them such a fun and entertaining show and actually have them enjoy it was so much fun.”
Aden Graves is a campus editor. Contact him at [email protected].
