The UB African Student Association (ASA) hosted a glow-in-the-dark extravaganza in Student Union (SU).
The party was held shortly after Fest at approximately 10:00 p.m. Students eagerly flocked to Student Union 145 fresh off the high of performances from Coi Leray and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. Upon arrival, students were greeted by members of the e-board and given glow bracelets as an accessory.
Inside the dimly lit multi-purpose room were table stands for drinks served by e-board members and an open dance floor for students to dance, socialize and vibe to their favorite songs.
Music was handled by DJ OzWrld, a Syracuse University student who previously played at their fake African Wedding last spring. He provided partygoers a variety of styles such as afrobeats, hip-hop, dancehall and mashups.
As the night went on, students began to steamroll in, shifting the energy from dormant to electrifying. DJ OzWrld maintained control of the crowd with his mixing board, switching BPMs through hard cuts, backspins and reloads keeping the energized crowd on their toes, intrigued at what he was going to spin next. He attributes his eccentric style to his ability to read his audience.
“Usually, I just play like one little hit song, get them hype real quick and turn it right back…so they know what’s up,” DJ OzWrld says.
While choices in music were frenetic, it provided means for students to enjoy a wide range of cultures within the African diaspora. Music also blended sounds of zess, soca and dancehall, taking it to the Caribbean islands, as well as hip-hop — specifically New York City drill anthems and futuristic Atlanta trap classics. Students swag-surfed, got sturdy and did the azonto — a traditional Ghanaian dance — periodically.
Students were immersed into the party’s atmosphere. It was the perfect conclusion to an already electrifying night. ASA President Merclyn Annor says it was all part of the plan.
“These kinds of events are to have students free up themselves,” she says. “Come party for once, free up yourself, meet new people.”
And they did.
The closing 30 minutes saw students holler the lyrics of Nigerian music duo P-Square’s “Chop My Money.” At that moment, they were more liberated than ever, looking to party even harder after shutting down. Students left SU 145 with much to rave about.
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