Have you ever heard the saying “They don't make ‘em like that any more”? Well, it is a statement I wholeheartedly agree with, especially after a night of music and poetry. Last Saturday night, February 11, BSCF held an old school soul lounge to remind us what love should really be like. Titled “That 90’s Love,” students participated in this chill night enjoying good vibes and love. With student acts and intermittent jam sessions with DJ Eazy [Esmond Appiah-Mensah (senior, nursing)] the event was a great way to end off a stressful week. The 90’s is an era known for its classic rom-coms and numerous boy and girl groups—and you can't forget to mention the fact that the poetry scene was at its peak at that time as well. Sadly, I'm three years shy of being able to claim what was arguably the best era in pop culture, but a girl can dream.
The night started off with a spoken word titled “I Want Luv,” read by Julaine Phillips, written by yours truly. This was followed by a rendition of “Weak” by SWV, performed by Jeremy Samuel (freshman, nursing) and friends, and shortly after, a poem by Jea Erazo (junior, psychology) titled “From Here to Here.” The night got better with musical performances by Sarah Coleman (junior, nursing) and Moriah Coleman (sophomore, exercise science), Jordan Anderson (sophomore, elementary education) and Jayssie Badette (freshman, speech pathology & audiology), Samantha Woolford-Hunt (freshman, graphic design) and Caleb Braswell (sophomore, exercise science), and more.
The amphitheater of the rec center was transformed by mood lighting and vibey music. Students sat on blankets on the floor, munching on croissants with friends and humming or swaying along with the music. Each performer got appreciative snaps and claps after their performance. Stress melted off shoulders and smiles were on all faces.
“Soul lounge was such a fun event to attend. It was amazing to see all the talent within the BSCF club and on the Andrews campus as a whole. It was such a wholesome and beautiful experience,” says Kayla Brathwaite (junior, psychology).
As a lover of 90’s R&B, I was very excited to hear some of my favorites played on Saturday night. Music has always been a big part of my life, and as I started to come into my own, the 90’s was where I wanted to be. The 1990’s are the height of Black Excellence in America. During this time our rich culture was represented for us in many different mediums—whether it be clothing, hair, art, activism, movies, or music. Even love seemed better back then too. No unsolicited Tinder pics or the constant ghosting most of us experience these days. Instead, just the pure love that can only be experienced without the barrier of a phone.
“The Soul Lounge was a great event for Black students to show off their talents and pay homage to the nineties. I also enjoyed the cozy vibes and jam session with DJ Eazy.” says Malaika Ferguson (junior, nursing). I am grateful to the BSCF Officers for putting this event together and making it such a special place for us to decompress. I am so excited to see what the future holds for the other events this Black History Month, as it has been a joy to celebrate my culture thus far. No matter where you go or who you are, always remember “That 90’s Love” is something you can have, too.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.