On Thursday, December 3, WIA and the Slam Poetry and Rap Club put on the first ever rap and slam poetry concert.  

The black box theatre was transformed into a hip underground rap venue, complete with a stage, lighting, and a ground-shaking bass amp. With over a hundred students and parents looking up at the stage as their peers/children transformed into poets and rappers, it was truly a sensational event for all involved.

Kayla Bernstein, aka Kandy Rapper, kicked off the event with an original rap, set against Beyonce’s “Halo” . She called out Main Line entitlement and asked the audience to be grateful for what they had. Other rappers included Mykah Tomassetti, aka MC Noodles, Dan Cohn, aka DC Eagle, and Nate Nagvajara, aka Eggnog (accompanied by Max Flora). Chris Rivera, Ben Barnett, and Davis Burton also appeared, with teacher performances as well from Mr. Imaizumi and Mr. Stoloski.

Slam poets reading original work included Catie Kauffman, Hannah Wheeler, and Francesca Wilkin, Tyler Henry, and Arrion Johnson (twice, and accompanied by Sarah Alfred-Levow on piano). Joseph Gavin performed a cover of George Watsky’s slam poem “Leopards and Horseshoes” to a laughing audience, shouting, “Do you believe in the horseshoe crab?” Hannibal Ahmed played jazzy piano, sang, and rapped for a multitalented performance.  

The night ended with Kandy Rapper returning to sing “Where is the Love”, with phone lights waving and the audience singing along. Dan Cohn performed an encore with Nicki Minaj’s “Superbass” which also drove the audience crazy. On behalf of WIA, Jacob Diamond-Reivich thanked the lights crew (Emma Danz, Camilo Ortiz, and Megan Rapuano) as well as Ricky Sayer for filming and all the performers of the night. He also thanked Mr. Imaizumi and Ms. Caine, the WIA and SPARC advisors, and Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Marcuson – even though they unfortunately both refused to rap for the show.

Kayla Bernstein said, “The rap-slam concert was one of the most exciting nights of my life. The turnout was amazing! There we so many people in the audience, and you could feel their energy… It was just an all-around inspiring and meaningful experience. I feel that through this performance we have revolutionized our school. Students and teachers no longer have to hide their passions.”

In the words of Jacob Diamond-Reivich, aka MC J-Money, the event was “just one word – dope. D. O. P. E.”

Finally, Nathan Rush, who could not perform due to an unfortunate nose injury, told this Harriton Banner reporter, “After weeks of practicing, it was a huge disappointment that I didn’t get to participate in the show, but I will be back for the next show. It is going to be hype. Everyone should be there.”

Keep an eye out for the next rap and slam poetry show this winter. Tickets will go fast and you will not want to miss another awesome night. In the words of Kandy Rapper, “Harriton’s rap culture is no longer underground!”