Titan Radio’s Boiler Room Event Ignites Campus Spirit
Tucked away in the lower level of the Titan Student Union, the Pub went up in glowing lights, laughter, and lively mixes of music on April 30, as students of all styles came together to celebrate Titan Radio’s first Boiler Room event.
Boiler Room sets are characterized by smaller atmospheres with twice the life and triple the online views. DJs often play their unique sets to an audience of many, whether they’re at a turntable or dancing on screen.
Titan Radio’s Boiler Room was nothing short of a roaring success with the help of Behind the Scenes, a student organization associated with the Entertainment and Hospitality Management program. Under the cover of colorful strobe lights and an atmosphere fit for the dance floor, students gathered together to let loose and have the music both take them away and bring them together.
Four student DJs took to the turntables to spin their own handcrafted mixes to the enthusiastic support of their peers. Nala Smith, a DJ as well as a marketing intern and co-organizer for Titan Radio, said that the crowd was a driving force for the night.
“The energy was so infectious,” said Smith, a fourth-year communications-advertising major. “It’s PLUR, that’s peace, love, unity, respect. Everyone is upholding that concept.”
Smith’s set was an unforgettable one and a highlight of the night. Towards the beginning of her set, she mixed in a part of a Malcolm X speech addressing the Israel-Palestinian conflict and a song from a smaller Palestinian artist, directing the audience’s attention away from herself for a moment to address a bigger picture.
Smith spoke on how she strives to be her authentic self and present her deeply felt values through her artistry to help in the best way she feels she can. She went into this set with the intent of making a statement and the audience was nothing less than encouraging.
“Besides donating, showing out, reposting, and educating myself, this goes beyond that,” Smith said. “If I can support Palestinian artists and support the pro-Palestine cause through music, that is what is most authentic to me.”
Another shining star of the night was Yenvi LeDuc, a fourth-year marketing major and up-and-coming artist. LeDuc performed her original song during Smith’s set for the first time in front of an audience, with the stage presence of someone who had done it for years.
The crowd burst into cheers for LeDuc’s performance, hyping up the artist to own the floor. Everyone in the room from the center of the dance floor to those at the back tables could feel the energy of all of the DJs’ amazing sets, never dulling for even a moment.
“I think it’s just really cool to connect people together, and to show that this campus has so much more to offer. It’s so versatile,” LeDuc said. “People don’t really expect a commuter school like this to have Boiler Rooms, so it’s a nice way to let loose.”
Whether one had been awaiting this event since its announcement or just happened to stumble upon it, there was a place for everyone in the room and on the floor. With the help of a free Red Bull at the door from the event’s sponsor, the energy did not dip for a second.
Lizbeth Anaya-Morales, a second-year computer science major and a web design intern with Titan Radio, echoed this sentiment. According to her, Titan Radio’s specialty is making sure there is a place for everyone, on their team or not.
Values like this were surely reflected in the station’s inaugural event for the Boiler Room, which proved to be a booming success.
“I feel like tonight was like a once in a lifetime experience,” Anaya-Morales said. “So I was like, I can’t miss it.”
The Titan Radio’s Boiler Room event was not just a night of music and dancing, but a celebration of diversity, authenticity, and unity among students. The success of the event showcased the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community on campus. With such a positive response from students, it is clear that events like this will continue to be a highlight for the Titan community in the future.