Personal Narrative: Just Bust

Held on the first Friday of every month, Just Bust is an all ages open mic held in downtown Madison. Individuals can dance, rap, sing, or perform poetry. It is free and open to anyone who is willing to listen or perform. Just Bust is led by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives(OMAI), whose mission is to provide innovative, culturally relevant hip-hop art programs to inspire engagement, learning, and activism for diverse communities. It is a safe environment to make yourself heard, since it is a judge free zone.

I was invited to attend by one of my friends, Jaylin, who was ecstatic to view all of the performers and chatted away as she sped towards the Red Gym downtown, located near the Memorial Union. She walked quickly in front of …show more content…
He seems to be about eighteen, and hesitates as he glances at the crowd. We all cheer for him as he tilts his lips up into a slight smile, which reveals a dimple on his left cheek. He introduces himself as Kevin, and then begins to speak about confessions from the UW campus. He calls out on fraternities who have accusations that a member has been charged with sexual assault charges to another individual. Because he is 6’0, his height adds to the seriousness of the situation, making him seem to tower over us as he continues to expose certain flaws that he sees daily in the education system. I look around toward the crowd around me, some look angry and others look understanding. Yet, they all encourage him to continue with his powerful words. I find myself getting wrapped up in what he’s saying, and coming to an understanding about how he feels and what he would like to change. Once he’s finished, the room erupts in cheering and clapping and he grins before stepping away from the …show more content…
She’s been here before and it almost resembles a family by the way that everyone here supports each other and encourages one another. Zhalarani begins with a few raps about herself, noting struggles that she has gone through and how they have shaped them into the person she is today. Two people behind me, Mike and Lauren, shout words to make her continue and everyone follows their lead. Her last rap is one that she has performed before; I can tell because several people in the crowd yell the lyrics along with her and are excited to join along. She brings everyone together, and ultimately, she is the best choice as the last performer because we are all hanging onto her every word and bumping into each other as we move to the