Spartan Soul dancers shook their bodies in rhythm to the fast beat of the music.

As the music slowed, they raised their hands to the sky and Martin Luther King Jr.’s booming voice overtook the music.

“With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood,” King’s voice echoed.

After the recording of King’s speech, the music resumed and Spartan Soul finished its opening for the 30th annual Black Power Rally on Saturday at the rock on Farm Lane.

Black Student Alliance President Argentina Lewis introduced the event, explaining the threefold purpose of the rally.

“To provide cultural entertainment, to promote unity within the black community and an understanding of where we have been, where we are now, and where we need to go,” the social relations junior said

More than 500 students and supporters showed up at the rally, which alliance representative Alicia Storey called a great turnout.

Nikki O’Brien, coordinator for African American Student Affairs in the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs, said the rally was the alliance’s major political event for the year.

“It supports the history of black student presence on this campus,” she said. “It brings individuals or groups to campus who have a living, working knowledge of racism as well as the black experience.”

Even the music made a political statement.

Special guests to the rally were Dead Prez, a rap group that includes social and political topics in its lyrics.

Human biology sophomore Juwaun Hinkle said that while he is a fan of the music group, he came to the rally for the cause.

“I’m here just to support the cause,” he said.

Hinkle and other attendants had the opportunity to watch a full show.

Black Inc., a nationally recognized poetry group, performed a skit and other short performances. Lyrical artist Chad Phillips also participated. With a political message brought to the crowd by Detroit organization Black Slate and other speakers, the rally was filled with intellectual discussion.

History Professor Pero Dagbovie told the crowd he attended the first black rally in the Erickson Hall Kiva as a student.

He said although the problems might have changed, black students still need to be aware of the situations around them.

“Young people of this hip-hip generation are very hard to impress,” he said. “We need to create a state of urgency and emergency.”

Before Dagbovie relayed his message to the crowd, political activist Barrett Morris encouraged the crowd to “utilize the avenues” that past activists gained for them - particularly the vote.

“How could a people that have come so far choose to stop now?” he said.