Rowan University’s Hip Hop Culture Club hosted its second Tiny Desk concert on April 6, 2025, bringing together local talents and students to celebrate hip hop in a close-knit setting. The event took place in the Chamberlain Student Center pit and was organized by Rowan After Hours, running from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a brief intermission for food and refreshments. Inspired by NPR’s popular Tiny Desk series, the concert featured live performances with soulful, jazzy instrumentation, creating an intimate atmosphere for both performers and attendees.
The night began with a thirty-minute DJ set featuring a mix of classic and new hip-hop tracks while the stage was being prepared. Lula opened the performances with a set full of R&B and soul, supported by two vocalists. Following her was Sav Wil, a 27-year-old rapper and Rowan alumnus from New Jersey. Wil’s energetic solo performance aimed to inspire students, especially those hesitant about performing or studying music. “I’m hoping the students that are afraid to perform or are in the music industry program at Rowan see the energy and confidence I bring to the stage and want to do it too,” Wil shared.
Public policy graduate student Kiara Ajayi expressed her appreciation for the event, saying she loved both creating and watching art. “Being able to be in a crowd of people that are enjoying it, and just being a part of that experience with everyone else is really cool,” she said. The third act, Max Joy, who is also involved with the Hip Hop Culture Club as an event photographer, performed alongside Jared Katz, the club’s vice-president and a music technology major who played bass guitar during several sets.
Jay Amari followed as the fourth performer, delivering passionate rap verses both during his own set and as a feature in Max Joy’s performance. After a break featuring raffles for items like vinyl rap albums and rapper-themed collectibles, Illadel closed the night as the headliner. Accompanied by a live band, Illadel engaged closely with the audience, keeping energy levels high throughout his set.
The concert concluded with an open-mic session where anyone could showcase their talents. Nyrah Wardlow-Matthews, president of Rowan Hip Hop Culture Club and senior music industry major, emphasized her goal of creating an inclusive space where creatives feel safe and welcomed. “My goal is to make sure that everybody enjoys, as well as facilitating a safe space for creatives and making everybody feel welcome,” she said. The event highlighted hip hop’s role as both an artistic expression and a vibrant culture within university settings.
