WERW: From "On Air" to "On Stage"
By Jarrett Adamson
WERW is a collection of creative and talented individuals that broadcast content daily on a completely student-run radio station at Syracuse University. They demonstrated their talent last night at the WERW Launch Party.
Arriving to the Schine Underground, attendees were met with a unique space perfect for the night. First, you could start by seizing a photo opportunity in front of giant WERW balloons with props provided. After grabbing some popcorn and candy, you migrated toward the center of the floor to dance to DJ Khari Brandes.
Khari is a sophomore in the Bandier Program for the Recording and Allied Entertainment Industries. Students migrated towards his set like moths to a light. Khari’s mixes easily kept the audience entertained as well as impressed. There was a smooth transition from Khari to NYC Suave coming on stage.
The crowd immediately vibed to the new DJ dressed in all white. He contributed to the energy and emotion of the set as well as the vibe of the room. The fast paced visuals behind him added to the liveliness of the entire night. Suave served as the perfect hype-man both before and during Wiki’s set. When a man in Dickies pants ran on stage with a microphone already starting a song, you knew the set was going to be engaging. Biographical cartoons were displayed behind him, adding to the words coming out of his mouth.
Wiki, the 24 year old rapper from New York, New York, immediately captivated the audience. Songs from his newest album, No Mountains in Manhattan, were being sung along to by members of the audience. Those who were new to Wiki’s work instantly became new fans. He even stopped to talk to the audience a little as well. Wiki thanked both Khari and NYC Suave after joking with the audience about if they had tests the following morning. Wiki knew his audience; he wasn’t playing at a normal venue. However, he seemed to enjoy the college crowd. And the crowd definitely seemed to enjoy his performance, as well as the launching of WERW.