(Posted March 17, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Fabolous, a hip-hop artist whose latest album "From Nothin' to Somethin'" features the hit single "Diamonds," and opening act Black Violin, will perform at Juniata College at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 29 in the Intramural Gym of the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center on the Juniata campus.

Tickets are $12 for Juniata students and $15 general admission. Tickets are available at the information desk at Ellis Hall. Tickets for non-Juniata students go on sale March 12 and can be purchased through the Web site www.juniata.edu/fabolous.

The doors will open for the concert at 7:30 p.m. Black Violin will perform at 8 p.m., followed by Fabolous at 9 p.m. After the concert, DJ Ski Hi will provide musical entertainment from 10 p.m. to midnight.

"Ticket sales will benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer," says Lauren Seganos, a freshman from Davidsville, Pa., who is organizing the concert with Ryan Conrad, a senior from Waynesboro, Pa.

Fabolous, whose given name is John Jackson, is currently touring to support "From Nothin' to Somethin,'" which is the rapper's first album for Def Jam Records. The album quickly climbed to the top slot on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop and Top Albums charts. The first single, "Diamonds," features Young Jeezy and was certified as a gold record. Other singles from the album include "Make Me Better," produced by Timbaland and featuring rapper Ne-Yo, "Baby Don't Go," featuring production by Jermaine Dupri, and "Return of the Hustle."

Fabolous has two previous platinum albums, "Ghetto Fabolous" (2001) and "Street Dreams" (2003), and one previous gold album, "Real Talk" (2004). Other singles include "Can't Deny It," "Young'n (Holla Back)," "Trade It All," "Into You," "It's My Party," "Breathe" and "Baby."

Fabolous grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. and started his career using the name Fabolous Sport.

Black Violin is comprised of two classically trained violinists, Kev Marcus and Wil B and a DJ named TK. In 2005, the duo won the 2005 Apollo Legends talent show at Harlem's Apollo Theater. The group recently toured with Linkin Park singer Mike Shinoda and also played on albums by Jessica Simpson and Li'l Kim.

Both musicians Kev Marcus and Wil-B attended Dillard Performing Arts High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Wil-B has played in the Young Artist Contemporary Orchestra and plays a variety of instruments. Marcus also has played with several Florida orchestras and was a semi-finalist in the 2000 Sphinx National Competition for Blacks and Latinos.

In addition to touring, Black Violin has accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Awards and performed with such groups as the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Linkin Park, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Nas and Fat Joe. They have appeared on "The Tonight Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and the "Carson Daly Show."

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.