On Thursday night, the game room wasn’t filled with the normal sound of video games and billiard small talk, but rather chatter and anticipation for the upcoming rap battle.

“The purpose of this event is to supply the tools for people, based on their strengths, talents and gifts to succeed”, said Peer Motivation President Brent Dgilani.

With the stage set and the DJ ready to go, the President began introducing the night, and bodies made their way to the stage.

Freestyle rapping started off the event. One by one, students took the stage to show their verbal skills.

There was a mixture of all types of students gathered on stage, and soon enough, the crowd began to cheer as the lyrics reverberated throughout the room, each rapper incorporating their own creative poise.

“My purpose is to express a new kind of rap,” participant Elijah Neymark said. “Kind of to tone away from all the sex, drugs, bitches and violence, and show there is a whole new creative side out there, almost like a new kind of Dr. Suess.”

The last freestyling performance seemed to surprise the audience. As Danae Avery took her place on stage, the crowd filled up with support and excitement. Within a matter of seconds she had the audience showing their approval with cheers that overtook the game room.

“It was scary, but it was fun,” Avery said. “And I had to because there were too many guys up there and not enough girls.”

Then came the time for the selected rappers to battle. With only 30 seconds to slur the opposing rapper for two rounds, each individual tried to keep composure and make the most of their time. After each battle, the microphone was held over the performer’s head, and the crowd cheered for their preferred performer, which was David Jenkins.

“I felt like Peer Motivation, along with Black Student Alliance, put together a great event,” spectator Michael Campbell said. “It diversified the type of events that take place at CMU.”