A small but spirited audience trickled onto McDonough Field Saturday night to watch Nappy Roots, a rap quintet best known for its 2002 single “Po’ Folks.”

The concert, presented by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (PIKE) and WMRE, capped off a day of community service organized by the fraternity colony.

PIKE is currently petitioning for a charter to return to campus.

PIKE president and College senior Luke White said Nappy Roots had a strong relationship with the fraternity and with Emory, as the group had appeared on the WMRE radio show in the past.

“They’re a Southern group and their music is iconic of Southern rap,” White said. “When they offered to do [the concert], it sounded like a natural choice to accept their invitation.”

PIKE members prepped the stage for Nappy Roots, as the self-titled “PIKE House Band” free-style rapped and danced across the stage, raising the energy level for the audience of an estimated 100 to 200 people.

About 50-60 non-Emory students attended the concert.

The audience grew when Nappy Roots took the stage, as the interactive nature of the concert helped to engage the audience in the chilly weather.

“Happy Halloween shawty,” shouted one member of Nappy Roots.

The quintet sang “Small Town,” “Good Day,” “Nappy Roots Day” and “No Static” among others.

Towards the end of the concert, two students dressed in lime green bodysuits danced on stage with Nappy Roots and pulled other students up to dance.

“Can we get some people up here?” shouted a Nappy Roots member. “Some single ladies?”

College sophomore Christina Tian said she attended the concert to support the PIKE brothers and because she enjoys Nappy Roots.

“Nappy Roots is a pretty good rapper,” Tian said. “It was a really great way to start a night.”

Although PIKE estimated an audience of more than 800, White said he was not disappointed by the smaller turnout.

“Being at a small concert like that is often a privilege,” White said. “It’s a nice chance to listen to the music in a more intimate setting. The concert was for the community, for Emory students as a celebration of the day.”

College sophomore Lizzy Bakhash attributed the small turn-out to a lack of advertising.

“I think a lot more people could have gone,” she said. “[The turn-out] definitely could have been stronger, but the people who were there were really into it, so it was still fun.”

White said that the concert helped raise more than $200 for the children of Montcrest Youth Ministries and the Georgia Sheriff Youth Homes.

Earlier that day, fraternity houses, sorority lodges and a handful of freshman residence halls hosted a trick-or-treating event for underprivileged youth.

About 60 kids spent the day carving pumpkins with Greek life members and student volunteers.

“The concert was for the community and for Emory students as a celebration of the day and the service that happened,” White said.

White said that PIKE hopes to host a similar event next year.

“[The concert] was a nonalcoholic, philanthropic event that I think everyone enjoyed,” he said. “We’re looking forward to bringing in a bigger artist for people to enjoy next year.”

— Asst. News Editor Alice Chen contributed reporting.
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