6 I The Behrend Beacon Music industry reaches new low with the E. C. Wigger By Danielle Faulkner photography editor and urban corre Tispondct In contrast to New Found Glory coming to campus this spring, the LEB has an alterative artist for Behrend stu dents. A rapper horn and raised on the mean streets of south central Erie County. he knows and lives the life of a gangster. "When you have to go a day without your Red Bull and Egg McMuffin, you gotta find a way to cope and Is do that with my rhymin', - said E. C. Wigger. Though many haven't heard of this rapper, those who have love his mes sage and sound. LEB Concert Chair Roberto Franco knows bringing E. C. Wigger to Behrend is a great step to take. "He's what's happening now, - said Franco. "We could have given out sur veys or asked around, but I feel I know what the urbans are looking for these days when it comes to music. You can't get more urban then E. C. Wigger." Born Todd Henry Smith, Wigger, as he is known on the streets, wanted more from his life. He had watched as his father, a bank teller at PNC Bank, and his mother, a stay at home wife, fought the hardships of potluck dinners, Boy Scout meetings and church socials. That kind of life would harden anyone and, for Wigger, it gave him the inspi ration to write his raps. ARIES- The stars have a bright future in store for you. Unfortunately, the stars just got Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and it is freaking sweet. It is probably going to be a while before you get that good fortune. TAURUS- While fighting the last remaining faction of Lithuainan laissez faire communist insurance salesmen, you find yourself in the Czar's secret vault. The vault is filled with the accu mulated wealth of the royal families of Europe, however you cannot find a way out. The only person you can contact is your arch-nemesis. Good luck. GEMINI- The stars are having an off day today after a family of red giants moved into the neighborhood thus reducing property values and disrupting the proportion gravity. You may have better luck consulting your eight ball. CANCER- If you allow yourself to be talked into going to that party this week end (which is going to end badly one way or another) and if you let yourself get roped into those nine games of beer gong and the drinking contest, you will find yourself playing truth or dare. When it's Bob's turn, choose truth; unless you want a horribly ironic restraining order from your probation officer, then go for the dare. CLASSIFIEDS "I watched my pops come home everyday at 5 p.m. tired, strung out from his job. - said Wigger. "My mom had been home all day with the house spotless. There was dinner on the table and the laundry done. Man those were some hard times. I mean you try seeing that type of s**t and not be affected by it.- Because of this harsh living environ ment, Wigger would see his older brother receive a full scholarship to an Ivy League school on the coast. Something he remembers to this day and can never forget. "Man, he never had a chance. When you have to live through two parents at home every night, what else you goin' do but go to school? I tried to tell him he only got in 'cause of quotas but he wouldn't listen. Well I got out." After seeing his brother leave, Wigger made up in his mind that he would not live that same fate. After an open mic at a local nightclub, he found his calling and it was on the stage. "I remember my first time on the mic. Man it was like butter! The crowd was hype, I mean they really got into it. Ever since then I've been rappin' and tappin,'" said Wigger. Critics have bashed Wigger for out rageous songs lyrics, but the rapper still wants his message to be different than the other rap stars of today. "I's just keepin' it real ya know. I rap about what I know and my dawgs Beacon Horoscopes By Dan &whit* assistant news editor and washed up astrobw to the washed up stars LEO- Get a passport. Do it now, you are I don't want to die for something as going to need it. Don't ask why and insignificant as supporting the losing don't stick around to find out. If you faction in a revolution. lovey'ontetitiifitiiist gifltfebersirtinitt"' S l .fritlfriAttieS- It was just antimpulte ter where. Itlitet"yon know" when to " buy, stop feeling bad about it. Yoe may come back in the arts and entertabunent have lost the receipt, but you didn't have section of the newspaper in whatever time to return it withing the 30 day pert town you end up in. Don't tell anyone, od. Even so, just give it as a gift. even rne. I'll find you when the time is sure you know several people who want right. Godspeed. a copy of Vincent Price meets Hello VIRGO- You should have realized that Kitty. the police:officer was neither interested CAPRICORN- Valentine's Day is over, in your extensive knowledge of and after speqding a r , week crying into Egyptian mythology or the Fli'mstones youtabowl or cookie dough and ice and the sindlarties between the two dor- cream, like some lonely assistant news ing your breathalizer test. It's okay, the editor, you real?" that despite what ankle braclet will come off in two Hallmark, Disney and 4411 enterttin months and it gives you time to work on mart tell you, true Ir*? only cones your scritpbooking. through money. So focus on school, get LIBRA- You come across a suitcase, a good job and horde every cent. From there, things start to get weird. AQUARIUS- You left your keys on the After a veritable orgy of sex, dtugs and dresser under your scarf. You're wel violence, you find your fate rests on come. whether or not you know how to say PISCES- I. You already fed the fish "Big Mac" in French, and can , quote the today, don't feed it again. You'll kill it. Bible verse Eickiel 25:17. 2. Make sure you fill up your gas tank; SCORPIO- Nine out of ten shaman that old Texaco isn't where you thought agree, your revolution will be t success. it was. . I've been supporting you from the very 3. Carry an extra pen, you'll need it. start and lam useful in predicting the 4. Floss. I'm not going to tell you why, futur*, handy around the bouse i OM but yon'll thank me later (maybe buy cook up some pretty good pancakes and some Altoidv). I UM OR r r PHOTO OF THE WEEK The E.C. Wigger in the early days with his loving, compassionate and close-knit suburban family know. Nobody got J. C. when he first dropped. You got to get hung up before you can rise to the top. I rap about my life on the streets of Erie, Wal-Mart and my Ford pick-up trucks —that's what the people wanna hear. I's just give them what they want, ya heard. That's what my new CD, "Wigger's Life," is all about. Watch that piece's going quad-triple platinum," said Wigger. But with the fame of his new CD, Wigger faced some hardships. One of the things he never thought could hap pen, his best friend got into Penn State University Park. This devastated Smith. He closed himself in his guesthouse for a month just thinking about what had happened "I mean you try to keep your peeps on the straight and narrow. I always told them; 'Man no Deer Park, get the Evian,' but you can only tell them so much. He's too far gone now. I can't save him. When he hits rock bottom. and they all do when they take that ivy league route, I'll be here for him." And because of that he has re released "Wigger's Life," with 25 per- A stunning sample of E. C's hit single His first single entitled "Wiggonomics," is set to hit radio sta tions later this month. Here is just a bit of the chart topper... A 40 is always chillin' in my fridge every night; got the satin sheets on to hit it up right. I don't liwn to no Eminiem or Dr. Dry, all I needs is 50 Cents to get the ladies nouti4ay.. All's' I read is and BET News they never got stuff wrong like that CBS dude. You'll never see ins in no L. L. Bean hoots; give me the Tim's with the matching suit. I thinks Gap and Old Navy are shady but I ain't hatin'. I'll rock Puffy Di'ddy on my way back from Miami. I's got 15ss ot(my pick-up truck and a sound *tem that will give you the snuffs. Forget what you heard 'bout those west coast boys I'm the EC wigged Hollar at ya boy! Ya heard! Friday, February 18, 2005 cent of the profits going to the E. C. Stay Outta School Foundation. With this foundation he hopes that he can save someone's child from the same fate of his brother and friend. "I know what it's like to live in a home with parents and strong morals. No one should have to go through that. If we can save one shorty from living happily ever after, then my job is done.- For more information about E. C. Wigger and his tour dates, please con tact the nearest wigger.