Students wave their glow sticks to the rhythms of tunes requested by students and played Jay Dukes and Trizzy. PN Photo/ Angelique Seymour
by Angelique Seymour
In an explosive showdown, the University hosted the highly anticipated “2023 Aux Wars’’ held at GPAC. This marked the start of the homecoming week. The event featured an assembly of students showcasing their music and creativity in a battle of songs from their own playlists using their AUXiliary cords.
The Aux Wars brought together music enthusiasts from all corners of UNC Pembroke for an evening of audio magic. Students dueled two at a time with their authentic, curated playlists, according to the specified categories.
The event kicked off in style, as competitors were selected from the crowd, they manned their battle stations on stage, connecting their devices to the sound system to engage in a musical face-off. Each participant had just a few minutes to showcase their musical prowess, and the diverse range of genres was nothing short of astounding.
From Gospel to 2010s R&B, throwbacks to “turn up” tracks, students put it all on the line, aiming to win over both of the judges and the crowd. The atmosphere was intense, and being as the audience was an active part of the performance, they would show their approval of the track by cheering, whooping, dancing, and even singing along while flailing their complimentary glow sticks.
“The Aux Wars this year was so much fun! It’s a great opportunity to share your favorite songs with others and even hear new music. I hope they do this again next year,” Deana Holloway said.
The judging panel, consisting of renowned local DJs, Jay Dukes and Trizzy, had the task of evaluating each of the participant’s mixes and picking which one to play next according to the genre each round. Criteria for the judges included song selection, transitions, crowd engagement, measuring the audience’s reactions, and displaying overall showmanship.
The 2023 UNCP Aux Wars demonstrated the campus’s rich musical diversity and its commitment to maintaining a lively and vibrant community. UNC Pembroke has once again proven that music has the power to unite, inspire, and entertain, making the Aux Wars a fun interactive part of the campus experience.