The UNC Hip Hop Ensemble brought a spooky vibe to The PITCH on Franklin Street with an electrifying horror-themed show. The performance, titled “Who Dare,” showcased original songs developed this semester, inspired by southern gothic themes and Halloween.
Founded in 2022 under the guidance of music professor Suzi Analogue, the UNC Hip Hop Ensemble is a diverse group of rappers, singers, producers, and instrumentalists. Open to alumni, staff, and students, the ensemble practices weekly in the Hill Hall Beat Lab, preparing for performances like this one.
“We wanted to tell a real story this semester, something rooted in our southern heritage,” explained Ayla Baker Kural, the group’s outreach lead and a vocalist and rapper. “There’s so much horror in life lately, so we thought, how can we combine that with southern roots and horror films for a Halloween show?”
With scenes from the horror movie Us playing in the background and eerie red lighting, the group performed songs influenced by artists like Doja Cat, Three 6 Mafia, Doechii, and 21 Savage. Among the standout tracks was “For the Hills,” which had singers rapping and rappers singing in a unique role reversal.
UNC alumnus Donavan Moonie, also known as Don Atlas, praised the collaborative spirit of the group. “It’s less competition and more collaboration here. That’s the beauty of UNC’s hip-hop community,” he said.
Audience members like junior Analeigh Urbina, a biology major, were captivated by the show. “They were amazing,” she said. “I was singing along like I knew the songs!”
Opening the night was Speedy Sprag, a UNC alum and former member of the ensemble, who noted this was the best performance he’d seen from the group. “Everyone was in sync, with choreography that perfectly fit the Halloween theme,” he said.
Following the performance, the ensemble plans to focus on content creation and potential recordings. Fans can catch previous performances on the UNC Department of Music’s YouTube channel.
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