I'd say that, for the most part, Brandeisians aren't avid listeners of rap music.Perhaps that's why the turnout out at Cholmondeley's wasn't particularly large for Saturday night's WBRS-sponsored Mr. Lif concert. Maybe the Triskelion dance or parents' weekend had something to do with it. Regardless, the crowd at the beginning of the night's show was nothing short of meager, reminiscent of a middle school dance scenario with girls and guys on opposite sides of the venue.

The opening act was a young rapper by the name of Beyond Belief, whose single "Don't Touch" just recently made it to iTunes. As I looked at the artist, though, with his black T-shirt and backwards baseball cap, I couldn't get the image of Fred Durst out of my head. His rapping style was less than original. "Don't Touch" was a song about getting intoxicated at a house party, and included such thought-provoking lyrics as "The food is stale just like the brew/ I'm cool as well and nice and smooth." Call me close-minded, but I'm not such a big fan of lyrically depicted intoxication, and I don't find the musical styling of getting completely wasted particularly inspiring. But that's just me.

The night's featured performer was rapper and hip-hop artist Mr. Lif, a Boston native. Wearing glasses and sporting some massive dreadlocks about two inches each in diameter, Mr. Lif began the night announcing to the crowd the successful completion of his latest album I Heard it Today just the night before. His performance style was unique in that it incorporated many turntable funk-inspired beats and old school record scratching. He managed to get the crowd loose and energized with upbeat rhythms, but also toned it down with songs of relevant political significance, making statements that resound within a college campus setting. In between songs, he also exchanged a few words with the crowd. I found it endearing that he switched from a rapper persona to a mentor, providing a few words of advice to his young audience about stress from school and the importance of this upcoming election. Mr. Lif's performance was well received overall, though unfortunately not too many people were there to receive it.

Despite rap not being a preferred musical genre among this school's population, I think students should take such opportunities to broaden their cultural horizons and experience different performances. Though the concert was worthwhile, it would have been even better had more people shown up. So, Brandeisians, next time you get the opportunity, give rap a chance before giving it such a bad rap.