Everett Events Center Hosts Grammy Winner Kanye West

Media Contact:
Stevi Boskovich
Marketing Coordinator
Global Spectrum - Everett Events Center
425-322-2628
sboskovich@everetteventscenter.com

Kanye West with special guests Fantasia and Keyshia Cole come to Everett on December 10

Who:
Kanye West with special guests Fantasia and Keyshia Cole

When:
Saturday, December 10, 2005 · 8 pm

Where:
Everett Events Center

What:
Originally from Chicago, Kanye West’s rapid ascension to hip-hop's elite class began when he produced a string of hits for Jay-Z's The Blueprint, including "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," "Never Change," and "The Takeover." The rapper has been in high demand ever since, contributing tracks to albums from Scarface, Ludacris, Beanie Sigel, and many others. Influenced by fellow Chi-town native No I.D. (who produced much of Common's early material), West's signature style is akin to that of the classic beat-makers of the early 1990s - limited synths but heavy on the soul samples.

He popularized the use of sped up vocal loops and sweeping strings, an approach imitated by countless others. In 2003, it seemed as though West was everywhere, as he fast became one of hip-hop's most sweated new artists. Unlike many other producers who step to the mic, Kanye is also an extremely talented emcee who flexes a relaxed but focused flow that's never short on clever lyrics. After a bad car accident, he released two top-notch mix tapes, Get Well Soon and I'm Good, which showcased his beats and rhyme skills and helped to further his reputation.

His first solo single, the Chaka Khan-sampling "Through The Wire" on Roc-A-Fella records, found love from mainstream radio rap fans and underground connoisseurs alike, and his heavily anticipated debut, College Dropout, hit the streets in February 2004. After earning multi-platinum sales, winning several Grammys, and gracing the cover of Time magazine, Kanye dropped his second album Late Registration in late summer 2005, continuing his string of hits with singles like "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" and "Gold Digger." The album has stayed at the top of the charts and has sold nearly two million copies since its release last August.

Tickets are on sale Saturday, October 22, 2005 at 10 am. Tickets can be purchased at the Everett Events Center Box Office, EverettEventsCenter.com or by calling 1-866-EEC-TIXX (1.866.332.8499). Tickets are priced at $35 and $45. Prices do not include service charges.

The Everett Events Center, a $71.5 million multi-purpose complex, was developed by the Everett Public Facilities District. The 10,000-seat venue hosts a myriad of events including concerts, rodeos, ice skating and family shows. The Everett Events Center is also home to the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise, and the Everett Hawks, ArenaFootball2 League team. The venue accommodates other sporting events such as basketball, volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics.

The Comcast Community Ice Rink is used for public skating, local hockey leagues and much more. The two ice sheets can be converted to form a 57,000 square foot space to host trade shows and special events. The three-story Conference Center includes three 900 square foot executive meeting rooms, a 12,000 square foot ballroom, which can be arranged in a number of different configurations.

Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com), the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field, has more than 45 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world's largest sports and entertainment firms Comcast-Spectacor.

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