Rhyme and rhythm as artistic expression were on display in the University Board’s amateur rap contest “So You Think You Can Rap,” Thursday in 7th Street Underground. 

University Board mainstage coordinator Khelan Todd said “So You Think You Can Rap” was conceived as a spin off of the popular “So You Think You Can Dance” competition, where relatively unknown performers present their original acts before an audience and panel of judges.

“We’ve had a good turn out in previous years,” Todd said. “For some of these people, its their first time on stage.”

Todd said the winner of the competition would walk away with time in a recording studio and a professional photo shoot, valued somewhere around $150.

“It gives students a chance to showcase their creative talents,” he said.

Each of the eight performers was given the chance to perform two songs along with an individual piece during a group freestyle rap.

Crystan Vilson, a member of the University Board, said “So You Think You Can Rap” is one of the more diverse displays of student talent put on by the University Board.

“It was unique and diverse,” Vilson said. “People were stepping out of their comfort zones.”

Calim Bruett, who performs under his stage name Jeff MC, won the competition with the performance of his two songs, “Who Is You” and “You Down With the New Kid.”

David Gracon, an assistant professor of communications studies and competition judge, said the judges awarded Bruett the victory in part for his great stage presence.

“He had a good energy,” Gracon said. “He seemed the most confident.”

Bruett said he takes his cues for his performance on stage by watching other rappers and not losing focus.

“I like being on stage,” Bruett said. “When you perform, you have to entertain.”

Bruett said that a key aspect of his lyrics is rapping about what he knows, and not pretending otherwise.

One such rap of his included a riff on both his personal life and the 1989 film, “Back to the Future II.”

“Back to the future like Marty McFly, head in the clouds though I’m hardly high,” Bruett said in his rap.

Rapper Brandon Woods, who goes by his stage name “B-Woods”, took second place at the competition.

Woods said when he performs, he tries to remember to keep his rap about personal expression in light of audience reaction.

“You can’t let the hate bring you down,” Woods said. “You’re going to want to embrace the love, but you can’t know love without knowing what hate is.”

Andrew Crivilare can be reached at 581-2812 or ajcrivilare@eiu.edu.