Juice Jam 2012 —the first Juice Jam to ever sell out—will take place at Skytop Field this Sunday.
University Union stepped up their game with one of the biggest names in electronic music, Calvin Harris [11], and comedian turned rapper, Childish Gambino [12], as this year's co-headliners. The rising hip-hop trio from Boston, The Dean’s List, will support the two.
Childish Gambino, the rapping alter ego of actor and comedian Donald Glover, released his first mixtape in 2008 and has been steadily gaining popularity ever since. Also known for his role in the hit sitcom, Community [13], Glover has gone from independently releasing mixtapes to receiving a Video Music Award nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video. The success of his song, "Heartbeat [14]," is just one more thing proving that Glover's career as rapper Childish Gambino will be just as, if not more, successful as his comedic career.
Like Childish Gambino, Calvin Harris [11] is a name that has proven unavoidable in recent months. From his hit single, "Feel So Close [15]," soundtracking commercials during The Olympics, to DJ'ing this years VMA's, Calvin Harris has been leading a busy and success-studded life. Originally from Scotland, Harris initially gained popularity in Europe in 2007 with the release of his album gone gold, I Created Disco. Fast forward five years and Harris is jet-setting from country to country worldwide, performing for thousands of fans nightly.
Though most commonly identified with his own "Feel So Close," Harris has had a part in producing countless other popular songs. He has worked with artists from R&B legend, Mary J. Blige to pop stars, The Scissor Sisters. After supporting Rihanna on an Australian tour, Harris produced two of her most recent hits "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been [16]." He has also contributed to several songs on an upcoming album from Ke$ha. 
Like last year, University Union strayed from their normal formula of generating a thematically diverse lineup. Rather than choosing an opening act that would appeal to a different demographic of students, they chose The Dean's List, a lesser-known hip-hop group.
The Dean's List [17] consists of one rapper, one produce, and one engineer. The trio met while attending college at Berklee College of Music and The New England Institute of Art in 2009. They put out their third album, Generation X, this year.The dynamic of the trio is sure to warm students up for the co-headliners whom are not coincidentally, a rapper and a producer.
With a sold-out crowd, two of the biggest names in music and an opening act that blends their respective genres together, this years Juice Jam is sure to be one of the most successful in the history of the annual concert.
Photos by David_Hwang [18] and Macskapocs [19] / Flickr
