Fashion show a 'delight' for hip-hop fans

Bright lights, designer clothing, dance and music all added to the energy of the nearly packed Irvine Auditorium Saturday night for the 10th annual Black Student League Fashion Show, "Rapper's Delight." About 300 students from Penn and other area schools attended the performances, which celebrated black culture and chronicled the evolution of hip-hop through a combination of poetry, music and dance. In addition to students modeling everything from evening gowns and tuxedos to jeans and pajamas, the show included the performances of several campus groups. The show was named after the popular hit song "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. According to College sophomore Natasha Williams, who co-produced and spoke at the show, the song "taught the record industry that there was a new genre for black music." "'Cause it sounds so nice, hip-hop, you the love of my life. We 'bout to take it to the top," were the words echoed in Irvine by the rap group The Roots as the night began. The show opened with a performance by African Rhythms and a spirit-provoking performance with poetry and song by the group Assata, which was followed by students modeling the clothing of designer Vernest Moore. All scenes in the modeling told stories that were choreographed by students as well. In Scene Four, called "La Di Da Di," students modeled to the song "Bedtime Stories" by rapper Slick Rick and followed the theme of the song by including students dressed as little girls in pajamas, listening to the story acted out on the stage in the background. The final scene, which was entitled, "The Last Dance," featured students in formal clothing. Men presented roses to women as the couples slow-danced to the popular rap song "I Need Love" by L.L. Cool J. Other designers featured in the show included French Connection, Nine West, I. Goldberg, Amera Archie -- designed by College sophomore Shafeqah Archie -- Don Don, Mad Gear and Formal Dimensions. The show's theme centered around hip-hop's place in contemporary society. Thus, music accompanied the models throughout the night and speakers talked about the influence of hip-hop music around the world. According to Williams, she and co-producer College sophomore Tanji Gilliam decided over the summer that they wanted to make the show a dedication to hip-hop. "We thought of the first commercial rap song released, 'Rapper's Delight,' and wanted to use that as the theme for the show," Williams said. Planning for the show first began in late April. According to Williams, students interested in trying out were judged on whether or not they could do the routine and had the right attitude. About 50 students tried out and 28 earned a place in the final show. Practices were held three times a week, in which students learned the steps choreographed for each scene. "I was just amazed to see how almost every African American on campus was somehow involved in the show," Wharton freshman Lorenzo Brown said. "It was a night of black teens giving their different talents to make a great night for a good cause."

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