The rumble of bass could be heard all across campus. Any students who followed the sound found themselves at a thumping party on Greene Street: Hip Hop Wednesday.
“Keep the hip-hop alive out there!” the DJ shouted to the students who had gathered in front of Russell House for the event. Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Hip Hop Wednesday draws a crowd monthly with its hip-hop music and offers the opportunity for students to network and learn about ways to get involved on campus.
Dressed in a salmon colored suit, Tony Breth, a first-year mass communications student, joined the ranks of dancers in the middle of the street, showing off dance moves that he picked up from his older brother.
“I was walking by Russell House and I heard the music and I just couldn’t keep it in,” he said. “I didn’t even know it was Hip Hop Wednesday.”
Although it was his first time at the event, Breth was certain that he would be making a repeat appearance in the future.
“I have to come back now,” he said. “It was fun.”
The environment was lively as members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity entertained the crowd with their freestyle stepping. Jabari Clyburn, a member of the organization and a fourth-year media arts student, loves the atmosphere of the event and hopes that more people will come out and join in the fun.
“I just hope that we’re not misperceived about what we’re doing out here,” Clyburn said. “I wish we had the entire population coming out and supporting us in this because a lot of people listen to hip-hop these days."
Natarsha Bright, a second-year finance student, and Ja’Covia Johnson, a second-year criminal justice student, have been to several Hip Hop Wednesdays in their time at USC.
“It’s about the dancing and hanging out,” Bright said. “It’s a little bit of both.”
According to some of the students in attendance, Hip Hop Wednesday is a lot more than just hip-hop music and dancing in the middle of Greene Street. Partnering with other student organizations, university offices and community partners, the event drew a crowd in front of Russell House.
“It’s great to spend time with other people at USC,” Johnson said. “The music, the people, I like that everybody comes out.”
This month’s Hip Hop Wednesday was focused on teen dating violence and healthy relationships. The Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention and Prevention Office set up a booth on Greene Street and handed out pamphlets and informational brochures.
“I just want to uphold the tradition,” Clyburn said.