Students 'Play the Part' of black musicians

The event featured students who dressed up and performed as famous entertainers.

By Jimmy Hibsch

Published Nov. 9, 2010

More than 200 people took a trip back in time Monday evening in Conservation Auditorium for the second Play the Part, a showcase of black musicians.

“This is a cool event because you get to see people's talents that you didn’t know they had,” said junior Alexis Butler, who was on the planning committee for the night.

For the performances, singers impersonated the artists they were covering. From hosts Chaka Khan and Lionel Richie to performers Kanye West and Destiny’s Child, no one broke character throughout the entire evening.

Adorned in a giant afro and black gloves, sophomore Portia King embodied Khan. She was joined by sophomore Donald Gilliam, who played Richie.

“I love speaking in front of people, so this was perfect,” King said. “I wanted to be someone who everyone could distinguish immediately, and I knew they would be able to do that because of Chaka Khan’s hair.”

The night began with a quintet from the Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative singing a medley of the Temptations’ hits, including “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and “My Girl.”

Following this, 10 performances took the stage for the night’s competition. As the audience hollered in regard, each singer covered a hit of the artist as whom he or she was performing.

In what she said was a strategic move, freshman Kheyra Halane switched her song from a Gladys Knight number to Deborah Cox’s “Nobody's Supposed to be Here” at the last minute. She said she wanted to sing a song she was sure the audience would recognize.

Luckily, the audience not only recognized the song but also knew how to sing it. About halfway through Halane’s performance, the audio accidentally cut out, leaving her without backup on stage. Immediately, the audience filled in the background vocals to supplement Halane’s now-a capella performance.

“I sing so much I guess I just felt at home,” Halane said. “I just love the stage.”

In what might have been an act of karma, Halane ended up winning the competition and a $100 gift card. Humbly, Halane thanked her competitors and audience members after her victory.

“All I can say is it feels good,” Halane said.

Junior Reggie Wilson came in second for his rendition of Luther Vandross’ “A House is Not a Home.” Dressed in a black shirt and tie, Wilson kept it classy as the audience swayed back and forth.

Coming in third place was sophomore Cathy Jenkins, who sang Erykah Badu’s “Tyrone.” Sporting Badu’s famous hair wrap, Jenkins had the audience snapping along to the song’s smooth beat.

Last year, Play the Part filled the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, so it was moved to Conservation Auditorium this year to accommodate a larger audience. Almost every seat was filled in the auditorium Monday evening.

The event occurred as a part of the BCC’s Black Culture Awareness Week. To finish out the week, two dialogues will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday evening the week will end with a performance from a local R&B artist.