This year’s University Board spring concert is rapidly approaching, and the final choices for the 2011 act are as popular as they are diverse.

The UB Concert contenders are: Keri Hilson, Owl City, Mike Posner with the Far East Movement, and The Roots.

Last year, the UB Concerts’ brought Canadian-born rapper and actor Drake to Eastern’s campus and more than 3,000 people filled Lantz Arena.

“We have to go with what’s up and coming,” Kelsey Warren, the UB Concert Chair-elect said. “It’s a really long process and a lot more goes into it than anyone sees.”

The decision process includes consulting an agent, surveying students, and researching present and future songs or album of perspective artists.

The concert committee has an agent to meet with who tells them who is up and coming, but ultimately the students choose, Warren said.

“I think having a clear and open mind is a good first step because with any musical act there is the potential for a great show,” Eddie Smith, the UB Concert Chair said.

Eastern is really yearning for a more diverse outlook from the hip-hop acts it has had before, Smith said.

“All of these groups were suggested by Eastern students when we had our first Facebook group up during the fall,” Smith, a junior corporate communication major said.

Smith was in charge of last spring’s Drake concert as well as Family Weekend’s Kool and the Gang.

“With Drake we had a unique opportunity in front of us because when we originally booked Drake he didn’t even have an album yet,” Smith said.

One option is The Roots, a band formed in 1987, are currently performing as Jimmy Fallon’s house band on his show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has 10 albums out.

“The Roots have a really strong fan base and they are nominated for five Grammy’s this year,” Smith said.

The Roots are described as a hip-hop band with jazz musical undertones.

“In 2003, Rolling Stone named (the Roots) one of the 20 greatest live acts in the world and it would be great to bring that to Eastern,” he said.

The synth-pop band Owl City first hit mainstream radio with the 2009 hit “Fireflies” and reached number one in seven different countries including the United States.

“My top two picks would probably be Mike Posner with the Far East Movement or Keri Hilson,” said Warren, a junior marketing major.

Mike Posner and the Far East Movement were given to the concert committee as a package deal.

The Far East Movement is mostly known for its hit song, “Like a G6.”

“(The) Far East Movement would put on a really good show and Mike Posner would be awesome,” Warren said.

Keri Hilson, from an economic standpoint, is bigger than ever especially since her song “Pretty Girl Rock” came out, Smith said.

Concert tickets will cost from $20-$30, but will probably cost between low to mid-20s, Smith said.

“All four of these acts have the potential to have a great show,” Warren said.

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812

or [email protected]