To help celebrate African American History month the Office of Africana Studies and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs hosted the annual event Concert for Understanding. The concert featured musical guest Rene McLean with the band Urban Djaliya (or griots) as well as a portion of the concert dedicated to a student open mic show. The show was hosted in Little Theatre located in Miron Student Center (MSC) on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

McLean and Urban Djaliya presented to the crowd African and jazz music that had meaning behind it. Many of the pieces the band played focused on the “dedication of their ancestors,” comments one of the band members, “we celebrate our ancestors’ lives every day.” The first set dealt with common instruments such as a grand piano, drums, bass, trumpet and soprano saxophone. But the second set included the instrument that is common in West Africa, the kora—a 21 string instrument that resembles the sound of a harp.

“I loved the performance, the unity…everything was nice,” comments sophomore and early childhood major ShonTe Smith about the band. The sound that they produced isn’t something people hear every day. Upbeat African music with more than a little hint of jazz here and there uplifted the crowd. Each set was unexpected as some sets were only instrumental and others had some singing.

“I loved the sound of the bass,” comments Tanaera Green, a senior triple majoring in English, psychology and political science. She continues to say, “it reminds me ofTom and Jerry whenever they are chasing each other. I also very much like the poets, they did a very good job.”

Green, Smith and about ten other students performed that night. Some of the most memorable student performances include a performance done by a student expressing his feelings towards the way his hair looks and how it shouldn’t matter that his hair isn’t cut short and instead is in braids. Another memorable student performance was done by a student named Wes who rapped an original song. He got the band to play a smooth, steady beat and he began to rap his heart out, getting the crowd pumped up.

All in all, it was an enjoyable night for everyone that attended. The crowd couldn’t get enough of the band or the student performances. The Office of Africana Studies hosted a great event and hopes to see everyone next year when they host it again.