Hundreds of students filled Conservation Auditorium on Monday to support their fellow students and celebrate the achievements of black artists as part of Black Culture Awareness Week.

The performance, called “Play the Part,” featured student renditions of music and poetry by famous black artists. This year’s portrayals included rappers, singers and even the renowned poet Maya Angelou.

At the end of the show the audience voted for the performer they felt best portrayed the artist they were representing using a text-to-vote program. The winner was sophomore Symonne Sparks, who performed songs by Anita Baker.

The third annual “Play the Part” was sponsored by the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. Senior and event coordinator Donald Gilliam said “Play the Part” is meant to be entertaining and educational.

“The event was originally created to actively entertain and educate students about African-American arts,” Gilliam said.

This is the first year the event has had a theme. He said the coordinators of the event chose “Soul Train” as the theme due to the significance and popularity the television show enjoyed within the black community.

“(Soul Train) is a staple in the African-American community with it being on television for so long,” Gilliam said. “It was really a big platform for African-Americans to perform and get their music heard.”

Phillip Simpkins, a junior, portrayed Kanye West in last year’s event.

“I liked the opportunity for Mizzou students to pay homage to different African-American artists and put themselves in their shoes,” Simpkins said.

Simpkins said he decided to stay involved with the event this year by helping some of the performers plan their performances and mixing their music.

“It’s different this year because a lot of the people have really taken a lot of time to map out their performances and give a performance that the audience is sure to remember,” Simpkins said.

Gilliam also said this year’s participants were talented and well-prepared.
“I think students will enjoy the level of talent and the effort the students have put into the performance,” Gilliam said.

Junior Lindsay Murray portrayed rapper Tupac Shakur in this year’s performance.

“I chose to be Tupac because I attended the last two years and I was upset that no one was paying homage to some of the important pioneers of the past,” Murray said. “Tupac had such a rich background, and I have to choose how I want to portray his background.”

Murray was also very excited to have the opportunity to showcase his talents for his peers at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

“This is the first time I have performed in any way, shape or form in the community that I call home,” he said.

Murray said everyone at MU will enjoy events like these at the Black Culture Center.

“It doesn’t just cater to the black community,” said Murray. “Everyone loves music.”