On April 18, 2008 Purchase College played venue to many bands, food stands, and more for Culture Shock, but while some skanked, moshed, or hula hooped, for a moment I was in 90’s sitcom heaven.
The green grass was covered in wandering students dressed in Culture Shock shirts and headbands who were busy decorating the lawn with blankets, inflatable pools, and even a grill or two. The scent of fair food tickled students’ noses and urged some people to spend all day at the food stands, filling their stomachs with hot dogs, sausage and peppers, and fried dough.
The day faded like a Purchase students’ sobriety, and at 4 p.m. when Cassidy was supposed to perform, some disc jockey took stage and entertained the crowd.
A few friends and I made our way up to the crowd of dancing people and weaseled our way into an opening. We jumped, we danced, we sang, and we waited for Cassidy.
While I was becoming more and more impatient with Cassidy—as I was really pumped to hear “My Drink N’ My 2 Step,” the only song of his I knew at the time—it looked like he was going to be a no-show.
Whichever DJ fueled my body with 80’s, 90’s, and current rap, I salute you. Whichever DJ gave me the ever so epic introductory lyric, “It’s Britney Bitch,” to “Gimme More” by Britney Spears, I applaud you. But above all else, whichever DJ took a moment out of his time to look back into his past and pull out a song so royal and so unmarked by haters, I congratulate you.
The crowd stood waiting for whatever song the DJ was about to put on. Then a few beats. Followed by what sounded like a tambourine. Next a familiar riff. It wasn’t “No Scrubs” by TLC or “Shoop” by Salt-N-Peppa. It wasn’t “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” and it wasn’t “Miami,” it…was…The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song.
The crowd burst into song. And so did I.
I was about as excited as a small child whose parent bought them a neon green wind breaker and a Will Smith concert ticket back in the 90’s. My only qualm was that the DJ didn’t play the extended version, which is forgivable due to the amount of people in this world who are not aware that there even is an extended version. However, I for one am fully aware that this version exists and I can recite it in its entirety.
At any rate, the song played, the crowd sang, I was far too enthused, and eventually Cassidy showed up.
But while Cassidy was rapping about being a “hustla,” his hotel room, and talking about his time in prison, I realized what a different world we’re in today.
Sure, I was happy to hear “My Drink N’ My 2 Step,” and record a quick video, but Cassidy left me unsatisfied. The entire time, while Cassidy was performing, I couldn’t help but think, what would Will Smith do?
I’d like to thank the DJ who kept Purchase’s Culture Shocked crowd of students entertained and for filling the gap caused by Cassidy’s late arrival with nostalgic music, but most importantly, I’d like to thank him for making my Culture Shock fresh.
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