Rapper Common will perform at Art Attack.

Kanye West protege Common will headline this year’s annual Art Attack events, which will be held Friday, May 5, at Byrd Stadium.

The rap artist is most notably known for his single “Take it EZ,” from his album Can I Borrow a Dollar? . Common has collaborated with artists like Lauryn Hill, Mos Def and The Roots, who performed at the university in November 2004.

Common’s most recent album, titled Be, was produced by West.

Student Entertainment Events president Gretchen Dellinger said Common was slated to come to the area last fall with West, but the tour was canceled.

Dellinger said SEE chose Common because of his availability and stature.

“Generally we come to [promoters] with the date of the event and in essence rank what the campus would prefer,” Dellinger said. “We were really excited that one of our top choices worked out.”

The use of a single-headliner act is contrary to the past few years, when several bands performed the annual concert rather than one big headliner. Last year, hard rockers Chevelle headlined the event, but were backed by frat rock band Guster and everyone’s favorite, “Where are they now?” band, the Gin Blossoms. Similarly, two years ago saw The Ataris share the stage with Talib Kweli and The Starting Line.

Dellinger said past Art Attack lineups had multiple bands because it was the best way to spend the money allocated for the event.

“It just worked out that we got a very strong available artist this year,” Dellinger said.

Yesterday’s announcement comes a day earlier than last year’s release, which was sent on April 11.

In previous years, the organization released information about the concert as early as mid-March, but Dellinger told The Diamondback last week SEE was not behind schedule.

Also included in this year’s Art Attack is an increased emphasis on student art, which Dellinger said has been lost in the past.

“This year, we want to bring back the ‘art’ in Art Attack,” she said. “Art Attack has progressed into becoming full of novelties. We heard some rumblings that students wanted to see more art at Art Attack, and we’re always interested in giving the students what they want.”

During the day, McKeldin Mall will be host to art displays and other novelty events, including a car smashing, graffiti artists and a rock climbing wall.

Doors for the music part of the event open at 5:30 p.m. and music will begin at 6. Students can pick up free tickets at the Stamp Student Union ticket office up until that day. Non-student tickets are $10.

The opening act will be chosen tonight at the final round of the Battle for Art Attack, when local artists compete for the opening slot. Artists Soul’d Out, Remember Daylight and Vasudeva will play for the prize and Washington-area ska act The Pietasters will close the battle, which is in the Grand Ballroom in the Stamp Student Union tonight at 8 p.m.

Contact Sam Hedenberg at hedenbergdbk@gmail.com.