Christian fraternity presents first hip-hop concert, hopes to show different ways to demonstrate faith


Central Michigan University's Gamma Phi Delta Christian fraternity wants to expand on the ways students can worship.

The fraternity is hosting its first hip-hop concert 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 25 in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.

Gamma Phi Delta president and Detroit junior J.J. Jones said the concert has been a year in planning.

"Me and the rest of my organization ... we wanted to do something that was out of the ordinary for a Christian fraternity, or a fraternity in general, to do on campus," he said.

The concert will feature artists Mahogany Jones and w.o.H.i.n, with special guests David Michael and Mz. Reality.

Jones said Gamma Phi Delta raised about $1,300 to put on the event. Money went toward paying for artists, transportation and the room for the concert.

CMU alumnus Marceil Davis is a member of w.o.H.i.n (Without Him I'm Nothing), a Mount Pleasant-based Christian hip-hop group. He said the smallest possible effect of the concert would be to show the evolution of Christian hip-hop, and hopes concertgoers take a lot from the event.

"In a college environment, or just in life in general, there are a lot of things that put you down," Davis said. "Hopefully they can get some inspiration out of it, some relaxation."

Davis said he was both excited and nervous for the concert.

Jones said he's hoping for between 70 and 80 students to attend the free concert. Gamma Phi Delta has already started planning a similar concert to take place within the next year and a half, featuring multiple artists from Michigan.

Jones said idea for the concert evolved from a fraternity icebreaker. He said a lot of other organizations on campus hold similar events.

"(We) didn't want to separate who's Christian from who's not," he said. "We wanted to break the norm from Christian activity."

Jones said the concert will be a nice break from traditional forms of Christian worship, including church attendance and praise parties, and hopes the event will be something fun that involves the whole community.

CMU alumnus Eric McClain helped Jones organize the concert.

"I think it's going to be great to bring some hip-hop with a positive message," McClain said. "I know CMU gets a lot of big acts coming through, and it's nice to actually get some hometown acts and people that are local"

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