Ever gone to a performance and secretly wanted to literally boo the performer off the stage? For those who have a knack for being brutally honest like “American Idol” hosts, you missed your opportunity. Friday, Feb. 4, at Café 3410, Program Councils Black Awareness Committee hosted Apollo Night. Alicia Hills, President of Program Council, had a goal when planning this event.
“We wanted to increase the awareness of African American historical highlights and culture while encouraging superstar hopefuls.”
The night started off with Malcolm Hudson singing “So High” originally sung by John Legend. Hudson is music major at SMU. “I hope to teach music to kids one day. I feel everyone can make music even if they do not do it well,” said Hudson when asked what his ultimate musical goal was.
SMU staff also got involved with the show with a performance by Jon Noel. Noel attempted to perform “Arrested Development’s” Mr. Wendell but had some technical difficulties. Noel, a 2000 SMU graduate, handled the problem with a true entertainer’s spirit. In place of his throwback hit, he played an African beat on his djembe drum to get the crowd’s attention. One member from the audience, Ryan Johnson, joined in adding vocals to the rthymic beat.
In the next performance, Keyatta Edmond played the piano while singing Brian McKnight’s “All I need is you.” The performance wasn’t treated with the same patience as Noel. When he couldn’t get his vocal notes and the piano notes in tune he was booed from the stage.
Brad Skeba, a first year advertising major, added more laughter to the night by telling jokes about sibling rivalry, like when your sibling is a super hero or Jesus. Sheba, who has been telling jokes for a year and a half, uses original material and was well liked by the crowd.
The audience got a safe sex reminder with an original poem by sophomore Lauren Taylor. Taylor, who has been writing poems since the fifth grade, said, “I wrote this poem because it is not fair for girls to be treated as (expletive) when they have sex and guys be treated as G’s.” The ending statement in her poem had the crowd roaring with oohs and ahhs when out of nowhere Taylor says, “What you don’t know is she got AIDS.”
Amen Amachigh erased some of those sexual fears when he sang Marvin Gaye’s “Lets Get it On.” Cooing the ladies and setting the Valentine’s mood, Amachigh ultimately hoped everyone just enjoyed themselves.
Amachigh, a sophomore history major said, “Old school music is my favorite because those artists were composers and original.”
Ada Esedebe, the sophomore African American Student Senator, attempted to bring the lyrical delight to the night. Her rap fell short, but she did demand respect to finish her piece when the crowd attempted to boo her off the stage.
Lawanda Grant was the last performer of the night singing Monica’s “Tell Me If You Still Care.” Grant was welcomed to the stage with a strong voice and stage presence. Grant, a business administration and Spanish major, had high hopes in winning the competition.
In the end, the crowd chose to get it on making Amachigh the Apollo night winner.