jada stephens

February 25, 2026 2:28 pm by Jada Stephens | Staff Writer

Warm orange lighting and live instrumentals welcomed students into the Efferson Student Union Activities Grand Ballroom on Friday night for Rattlers Recording, a new campus event designed to spotlight student musical talent.  

Hosted by the Florida A&M Campus Activities Board and Venomous Ent., the showcase featured vocalists, instrumentalists and campus organizations in a setting inspired by NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts. 

The stage setup created a cozy atmosphere. Orange couches sat at the front of the stage while dim lighting, accented with green and orange tones, gave the room a relaxed but lively feel. A live band accompanied each performer, adding to the intimate, studio-session vibe. 

The ballroom quickly filled with students, and anticipation built as performers prepared backstage. 

Rikhari Lewis, a fourth-year healthcare management major and project manager for the event, said the idea was rooted in FAMU’s deep musical culture. 

“If you think about all the musicians that have come here, the Marching 100, our history and music are intertwined,” Lewis said. “I wanted other people to be able to express that creativity and bring it to life.” 

That creativity was on full display throughout the night. Artists performed a mix of classic R&B, gospel and rap, reflecting the range of talent on campus. 

One of the strongest moments came from the FAMU Gospel Choir, which brought the audience to its feet with a high-energy performance filled with joy. Students clapped and sang along as the atmosphere shifted from laid-back to electric. 

Several student organizations and solo artists earned enthusiastic reactions throughout the night. Tau Beta Sigma received a standing ovation for their soulful rendition of “Killing Me Softly,” while Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha energized the room with dynamic performances, including “This Is How We Do It.” Jason “JB” Berry connected with the audience during a passionate performance of “Love Yourz” by J. Cole, and Elijah Lott drew strong support from the crowd as well.  

Second-year student Anabelle Francois, who performed Alicia Keys’ “I’m Ready,” said participating in Rattlers Recording allowed her to grow more confident as an artist. 

“I look at it as an opportunity to share my voice with the school and connect with the audience,” Francois said. “I want to get used to performing more and more because I want to make music as a career.” 

Francois said although performing for college students can feel intimidating, she has learned to embrace the moment. 

“I told myself to have confidence and have fun,” she said. “I feel like I have way more fun performing now.” 

Audience member Isaiah Turner said he appreciated the variety of music throughout the showcase.  

“I really liked the switch of all types of genres and how they transitioned everything,” Turner said. “It felt like everyone was celebrating the music together.”  

Organizers confirmed Rattlers Recording will return next year, signaling the potential start of a new tradition celebrating student artistry at Florida A&M University.