Northwestern and Mayfest are close to signing Chicago-born rapper Common for Dillo Day 2008, a Northwestern official confirmed Wednesday.
Northwestern has sent a signed contract offer to the performer’s management, which has not yet signed it in return, said Judith Cooper, assistant director at the Center for Student Involvement, in a phone interview.
The process is “in its final stage,” said Cooper, who is the university’s adviser to Mayfest, the group that organizes Dillo Day. The band has agreed to the time, date and cost, but there’s always the possibility that Common’s management “may not agree on a stipulation,” she said.
Cooper said that the university was in similar negotiations for the recent Counting Crows performance at the A&O Ball up until two weeks before the event was due to take place.
Greg Longstreet, Common’s publicist, said in an e-mail Monday that the rapper is currently scheduled to play at Northwestern on May 31.
Common has participated in two Grammy Award-winning songs. “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop),” won the 2003 “Best R&B Song.” “Southside,” which he performed with Kanye West, won the 2008 “Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group.” His 2007 album Finding Forever hit number one on Billboard’s Top 200 list.
Common has also made an appearance in several films, including Smokin’ Aces and American Gangster.
Mayfest co-chair Ben Stix declined to comment Wednesday.