SOULS OF THE UNIVERSE VISIT SJSU IN DRUG-FREE SHOW

A series of local emcees, disc jockeys, break dancers and graffiti artists
performed in front of a youthful crowd at Universoul on Sunday.

The outdoor music festival took place at Paseo de San Carlos on the San
Jose State University campus and was hosted by Associated Students.

The event was drug free and promoted nonviolence with the motto being,
"Love the music, not the drugs."

The purpose of the event was to encourage students to make the right
choices in life and warn them about the dangers of drugs and peer pressure.
In between every act, a group of volunteer speakers shared inspirational
stories of how they have left lifestyles of drugs and violence.

Jason Ma, a coordinator for Universoul, said the event was a fun way to
encourage young people to live a healthy lifestyle and to inform young
people about the harmful effects of drugs on people's lives.

A main stage was set up near the fountain area along the paseo, and another
stage was set up on the opposite side.

The main act was KRS-ONE, a hip-hop pioneer and one of its most positive
influences. He is considered a legend by today's youth.

Kevin Israel, a junior majoring in psychology said KRS-ONE's free flowing
lyrics were. "sweet" and that the atmosphere at Universoul was diverse.

"I like when KRS-ONE said 'Platinum, diamonds and gold is nice, but I give
'em to my wife,' " Israel said.

Local artists included Clever MC, newly formed underground hip-hop group
Organics, Bay Area hip-hop artists Esoin and Subliminal Renaissance, rock
band Nifty Tom Fifty and DJ Ean Golden.

Other artists who performed were Lee Majors, West Coast DJ Rocky Rock,
hip-hop artists 4th Avenue Jones and Jonah and Christian rock band Undefiled.

Clever MC and Lee Majors are Christian hip-hop artists who sing about
Christian themes such as salvation, Biblical scripture and the ways of Jesus.

Booths were set up by various university organizations such as Mosaic Cross
Cultural Center, the Student Life Center, the Peer Health Education
Program, the Inter-Resident Hall Association, Students for Justice and A.S.

There were DJs and dance competitions where DJs and dancers competed
one-on-one against each other for prizes.

There was also an art exhibit, which displayed positive works of art from
urban artists promoting peace, unity and love such as Erik Otto and Heaven
Bound.