A concert is actually sold out in DeKalb.

Multi-platinum rapper Snoop Dogg will perform Wednesday night at Otto’s Niteclub, 118 E. Lincoln Highway.

Not only will Snoop, also known as Calvin Brodus, be the most popular rapper to strut a stage in DeKalb, but he also could be the most important act to visit NIU since the Grateful Dead in 1977.

The instant buzz generated by the show’s announcement alone exceeded that of any other local show during the last five years.

“It seems like every classroom, every restaurant, you overhear somebody talking about the Snoop show,” Otto’s co-owner Duff Rice said.

The concert, which is only for those 21-and-older, will be the latest on a growing list of major artists to play at Otto’s. During the last year, performers have included the Violent Femmes, Ted Nugent, Local H, George Thorogood and Soul Asylum.

“[The Snoop performance] should show something to the community, that we’re trying to make something fun for people to do on a consistent basis, not just once in a while,” Rice said. “Otto’s is very serious about bringing national acts. We just happened to get fortunate enough to get somebody of [Snoop’s] caliber in.”

Snoop’s star status should bring a party atmosphere. Justin Pierson, an Otto’s manager and Underground booking agent, said they’re still discussing how to handle security at the show.

“We’ll be having additional security as recommended by the DeKalb Police Department,” said Pierson, who also is an NIU senior history major. “[The police department has] given us tidbits here and there about their concerns.”

What about Snoop himself, who’s a notorious marijuana smoker on- and off-stage?

“As far as the artist is concerned, we’ll be dealing with that as it arises,” Pierson said.

The show has the potential to get a little wild.

“I think Snoop’s definitely gonna be crazy and funny,” sophomore criminology major Felicia Thompson said. “Snoop is better, he’s old-school, he’s been around a long time.”

Thompson added that the show’s effect could rub off on NIU.

“Hopefully, Snoop coming will draw bigger rappers and CAB can see what type of attention he draws,” she said. “They can see that they can make money doing these types of shows.”

The show could benefit all local parties involved.

“I think that this is really gonna do well for Otto’s, but it’s gonna do well for the university itself and the city,” Pierson said. “Because I think there’s an atmosphere out here I’ve noticed in my four years here that a lot of kids pack up and go home on the weekends.

“There is an outlet for entertainment here,” he said. “Patrons discuss us as a mini-Metro (3730 N. Clark St., Chicago), or a Metro West. We definitely have the potential to become that.”

Rice added that the healthy rapport between Otto’s and the DeKalb Police Department contributed to setting up the show.

“We have a really good working relationship with the city of DeKalb and the police department,” he said. “They actually played an important role in getting this show … They supported me and said they would back the show.”

Otto’s also has made local waves recently with a handful of 18-and-older concerts. The fact that the Snoop show is for the 21-and-older crowd is a disappointment for some younger students.

“I think [the show is] a good thing, but I wish the show was 18-and-older, because I’m under 21,” sophomore accountancy major Isaac Wilson said. “But they’ll make more money off alcohol. It’s a big-time performance for those 21-and-older to go check out, but Otto’s should try to bring some to the 18-and-older crowd. But, it’s a business.”

Tickets for the show sold for $32.50 each. The event has sold 650 tickets, matching the venue’s capacity.

“I expect a lot of people trying to see if they can get a ticket somehow,” Rice said. “It’s definitely sold out.”

The opening act was unavailable at press time. Rice said it would either be a local band or an act supplied through Snoop’s people. The show will start at 9 p.m.

For more information, call Otto’s at 758-2715.