2008 Woodie Awards
YouthAIDS benefit brings hip-hop music to campus
Abby Olcese
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Front Page
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Recording artist and Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus D.J. $crilla says he is always happy to take part in causes, so when the opportunity came up to do a YouthAids benefit concert held by the fraternity, he didn't think twice. "Sigma Phi Epsilon's philanthropy is YouthAids," the rapper said. "Anytime I can get involved with charity, especially YouthAids, I'm all about it. Also, being a member of the fraternity doesn't hurt." $crilla was the main act for Sigma Phi Epsilon's concert, held Friday, April 27, in the Gorilla Village. For every dollar raised through ticket sales, the fraternity's national chapter donated $3. "It's extremely important for artists to get involved with the community because you have a voice," $crilla said. "There are so many people on this Earth that need our help, and as an artist I feel it's part of my duty to spread the knowledge to others to get involved in some way." Pat Cribbs, Sigma Phi Epsilon's vice president of member development, says the expected. "After we communicated with the artists, we pulled through and we put on a great production," Cribbs, junior in psychology education, said. The opening act for the concert was Kansas City rapper Taven. "It's important to do benefit concerts just to show people that it's not about the money," Taven said. "It's not. It's about music. Nobody is making any money off of this, we're just here for a good cause." Taven was invited by Forrest Saucier, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon who attended school with the rapper. "Taven and I went to school together since the sixth grade," Saucier, sophomore in political science, said. "I saw him perform in Chicago and worked security for a show in Kansas City, so when I knew we needed an artist, there was nobody else to call. I knew he would do it." Justin Morgan, former Sigma Phi Epsilon president, says the concert brought a change to PSU's live shows. "It's good to bring diversity to campus," Morgan, marketing junior, said. "We don't get a lot of hip-hop down here." Amy Meyer, a pop and R&B singer based in Kansas City, also performed at the concert. Also a former schoolmate of Taven and Saucier, Meyer performed her song "Passionate," which she had written just a week earlier. "It was awesome to write my own song," Meyer said. "Once I got started, it just rolled right out." Meyer says she wants to write songs that resonate with her audience. "It's important to think about what an audience wants to hear and to get your own emotions out through the music." $crilla agrees. He says the message of his music is universal. "My messages deal with life in general," $crilla said. "My songs cover a wide spectrum of topics and emotions. No matter how you are feeling that day, I'm pretty sure I have a song for you." Those curious to find out more about $crilla, Taven and Meyer can visit their Web sites: myspace.com/scrilla05 for $crilla, myspace.com/tavensmusic for Taven, and myspace.com/amymichellemeyers for Meyers. |
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