An Ode to the 2000’s: Recap of Black Student Board’s ‘Y2K Fest’

Juicy Couture, Baby Phat, low-rise jeans, platform sandals, oversized jerseys, rhinestone baby tees, bedazzled sunglasses and chunky necklaces. These were just a few of the iconic clothing pieces shown off at the Black Student Boards “Y2K Fest” located in Talley Ballroom on Thursday, Sept. 15. 

The early 2000’s was an iconic time period within American history and pop culture. Icons include: Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, The Kardashians, Sarah Jessica Parker, Avril Lavinge, Pharell, Usher, TIP, Nelly, Destiny’s Child and countless others. They were at the forefront of media and fashion and were key components in the trends we adore today. 

According to Popsugar, brands like Sean Jean, Miss Me, Ed Hardy, Von Dutch, Kangol, among countless others, were heavily styled during this time. This created a time period where styling taste was at an all time high, creating a distinctive decade for fashion. 

Many brands now are heavily influenced by the 2000’s culture, media and fashion. Creating some of our favorite clothing pieces that currently reside in our closet now. 

The early 2000’s were truly a pivotal point in pop-culture history. So, there is no surprise why the Black Student Board chose to host a 2000’s themed celebratory throwback Thursday. 

At the beginning of the event in Talley Ballroom, DJ Double-A played “ Like You by Bow Wow” featuring Ciara. There were fluorescent purple LED lights, a minibar in the back of the ballroom with Sour Watermelon and other tasteful Mocktails. Photo booths were stationed at opposite ends of the ballroom with enchanting backdrops. 

As more people started to enter, people began to truly embrace the ambiance. The lines for the mocktails began to fill. Tables around the room also began to be filled with students in their 2000’s inspired outfits, where they were able to decorate CDs and socialize. 

When 7 pm rolled around, the event MC’s and both members of the Black Student Board introduced themselves and the DJ. They then gave the run down of the activities that the event would be composed of. 

One event was trivia, where two people from the audience would come up, stand on opposite ends of a table with a buzzer in the middle (real Family Feud-esque) and be asked questions on important news events that happened between 2000 and 2009. The trivia allowed for the audience to be engaged. Noticeably so when Kody Willingham, second-year Biology major, one of the Black Student Board’s MC’s for the event, asked the participants whose VMA acceptance speech Kanye West interrupted.  The audience answered the question before the participants could even think about an answer causing an awkward silence within the stage. 

The next event was Finish the Lyric. Similar to how trivia was set up, two participants would come up on stage and stand at opposite ends of the table with a buzzer in the middle. DJ Double-A would play a clip of popular songs from the early 2000’s and the two people on stage would have to press the buzzer and finish the lyrics that would’ve played if the DJ finished the song. This was another activity that included the crowd, which created such a compelling and amusing vibe, with people singing the lyrics along with the participants on stage.

The third activity was a lip-synch battle. The MC’s chose people from the audience to come in front of the stage to lip-synch a culturally significant song from the early 2000’s then decide who did it best. Songs included “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child,  “Blame It” by Jamie Foxx and among countless others. To engage the audience, the MCs would point to the participant who lip-synched and ask the audience to scream if they enjoyed their performance. 

The final was a Fashion Competition. The MC’s invited anyone who wanted to to come up on stage and let the audience critique their outfit. The criteria: who represented the fashion culture of the early 2000’s the best. Lots of contestants walked on stage and showed their swag. This allowed the audience to yell once the MC’s pointed to each contestant to help show how much they loved their fits.

One outfit that stood out on stage was Jadyn Mclean, a first-year Criminology Major. She walked onto stage with a two piece jean set, gold necklace, glasses, gold circle chain belt and light-brown heels. Their afro tied together their outfit. It represented Black people’s influence within Y2K fashion and culture. 

Jadyn and another individual won the Fashion competition. Aaliyah Saunders, a third-year Nutrition Sciences Major, walked onto stage in one of the most enchanting outfits at the fest. The outfit imitated Sasha, the iconic Bratz doll, winter-wonderland outfit. They walked onto stage in White Camel-311 Demonias, a white skirt, a dark colored off-the-shoulder, zip up tank and a white fur hat. They did a 360 spin on stage, posed then walked off. They effortlessly captured the audience with their blissful appearance. 

After the fashion competition, DJ Double-A started playing music allowing everyone to dance together and just vibe as a collective. 

Throughout the event it was easy to spot the men/masculine individuals’ outfits

Nenfot Goyol, a fourth-year Textile Technology student, really grabbed the crowd’s attention. Goyol came to the event in an oversized, long-sleeved orange top, black jeans and orange jordans to tie the fit together. Their style and downright swag was something that was easy to gravitate towards. 

Another person’s outfits and overall vibe that caught everyone’s attention was Adrian Gibbs, a fourth-year, Science Technology and Society major. They came to the fest in the dopest NesQuik racer jacket, a white oversized tee, navy-blue denim jeans and white ‘clout goggle’ sunglasses. 

It was easy to spot Gibbs on the dance floor, living and vibing out to the music, pulling other students towards them with their immaculate vibe and smoove dancing. Their braids with clear beads flowing with every movement they made. 

Goyol, Gibbs and many other masculine figures stepped out and showed their appreciation for the male influence within Y2K culture. It is a fresh reminder that in a very woman-dominated industry where men’s fashion isn’t heavily represented, men’s fashion is still prominent and holds a place within the arts. 

Black Student Board’s Y2K Fest was a great success. Willingham agreed, telling Nubian Message that he would rate the setup and overall success of the event a “definite 10 out of 10”. 

The event has left many on the edge of their seats. What else does the Black Students Board have up their sleeves for the rest of the semester? They have a history of coming up with impactful events and even more unique themes, so nothing less is expected from this minority ran committee.