Although Kangol hats and shell-toe Adidas weren’t a requirement, they definitely were a thought as urban hip-hop beats oozed out of the speakers in Wonders Hall.
MSU students got a taste of hip-hop culture and a chance to celebrate its origins Wednesday night.
Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. sponsored Hip-hop Ecstasy Night which included break dancing, freestyle rapping and an old school dance contest. The crowd was kept on its feet by the sounds of DJ D. Jones. The event was one of many that took place throughout the week.
Sigma Gamma Rho member Charisse Edwards said the showcase is a chance for the organization to show people what it’s about.
“It’s a chance for us to showcase different hip-hop talents on campus,” she said. “It’s also an opportunity for people on campus to come together and remember the history of hip-hop and what it’s all about.”
The evening started off with a history of hip-hop and its roots on the streets of New York. Immediately following the history was a performance by rap duo E & J.
E & J managed to pump up the crowd with its powerful lyrics and strong stage presence. It performed its upbeat song “Oh my Goodness, Oh my God,” which reminds you of something you might hear from a Timbaland and Missy Elliott collaboration.
But the showcase didn’t stop there - in fact it didn’t get started until B-Boy (break dancing) group Nonstop Action hit center stage.
While the DJ mixed up ’80s jams, the group took over the crowd with its twists, turns and spins. Various dancers posed, froze, top rocked and popped to the beat of the music blasting in the background.
Each member took his minute of fame and the crowd went wild - cheering them along as they spun on their heads and froze on their hands.
Ryan Abenes, a member of the group, said he’s been doing this for more than three years and loves it.
“Break dancing is a very positive outlet for me,” he said. “It lets me express myself in a creative way. The crowd learns a lot and the energy from the crowd helps me out.
“It’s a serious form of art that I take very seriously. It’s another form of dancing. I do it because it allows me to have my minute of fame.”
After a brief intermission in which the DJ spun records by Usher, Dr. Dre, R. Kelly and Jay-Z, the show changed pace as five individuals battled each other using the microphone.
The five aspiring rappers downed each other and recited verses with the hope of winning the crowd’s approval. By the end of the night the crowd picked its winner - a half-braided rapper who goes by the name of Vivid.
“I really enjoyed the showcase and the talents that participated in the event,” engineering sophomore Shalon Johnson said. “I liked the break dancers and the group E & J. I would definitely come to the event next year.”
