The Association for African Americans Collegians (AAAC) held its first event of the year, the fourth annual Gorlok Underground Spiterature night.
“Spiterature is a combination of spitting and literature. The two words were actually put together by last year’s AAAC’s vice president Jalisa Robinson,” said Gabriall Moore. “It’s basically a night of open mic where students or local entertainers come together to express themselves through music, poetry, dance, song, lyrical expression or spoken word.”
Kearston Harris and Derrick Snow hosted the event which included 15 different performances.
Harris, AAAC secretary, also performed at the event and was the show’s producer. Harris recited a part of Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Woman.”
The first performer was Krystal Wilson, senior speech communications major. Wilson performed her rendition of Carolyn Traylor’s gospel hymn, “Story Behind My Praise.”
“I wanted to do something different for Spiterature. I wanted to show a religious side of me as well,” Wilson said.
Other performers included David McDonald, a sophomore film production major, recited a poem from slam poet, Big Poppa E. McDonald received an standing ovation. He also read a poem he wrote himself entitled, “Flicker.” An old crush of McDonald’s inspired “Flicker.”
Snow, an audio production major, performed with his cousin, Chris Turner, a local St. Louis spoken word artist in their group, Skyhigh. They rapped a spoken word piece called, “Verdict.”
“The reason me and my cousin wanted to recite ‘Verdict’ at Spiterature tonight is to show how the world is,” Turner said. “And that nothing in life is easy. If we can’t change ourselves, how can we change the world? That we need to find peace within ourselves.”
St. Louis rapper, Bryant Stewart, rapped his songs “Flood,” “Problems” and “Hands Up.”
“Webster University has welcomed me with open arms and gave me so much love over the years,” Stewart said. “When they asked me to do an event like this I do it. It’s a very friendly campus.”
Spiterature closed the event with local group, Cure for the Antidote, performing an instrumental version of their song “On the Spot.”
AAAC president Victoria Townson said she was pleased with event and was shocked that 80 people attended. Townson said this is the strongest Spiterature has ever been.
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