Nyumburu Cultural Center hosts annual talent showcase “JukeJoint”

Nyumburu Cultural Center, which sponsors The Black Explosion, hosted “JukeJoint,” a talent showcase tradition with music, spoken word and dance at the University of Maryland on March 13.

JukeJoint allows students to showcase their talent in an environment where participants are encouraged and celebrated. 

“I am looking forward to just seeing the talent that our UMD students have to offer since I’ve never been to one,” Keiannah Davis, a sophomore majoring in Animal Science, said.

Their hosts this year were Bryant Reed, a freshman majoring in information systems, and Mateo Brown, a senior majoring in computer science. 

The atmosphere in the audience was energetic as Bryant and Mateo danced to “Wobble Baby” by rapper V.I.C. Some audience members got up from their seats to join the dancing.

The first performer to take the stage was Jade Blackmoore, a sophomore. Her spoken word brought out deep emotions from the audience. Her first poem was in honor of Women’s History Month. 

“A touch too firm and a glance too long, a voice that hums the most twisted of songs,” gasps were heard throughout the performance. 

Deji Afolabi, a junior majoring in government and politics, performed two raps. He hyped up the audience with his catchy rhythmical song lyrics and gave out red roses too.

To close the night off both of the hosts Bryant and Moateo performed spoken poetry. Audience members were cheering throughout his performance. Moateo’s words received mixed reactions from the audience. From laughs to head nods to silence.