While most Bearcats have been wading through a seemingly endless bog of final papers and exams, one course was assigned a hip-hop showcase as a final project — complete with choreography, free-styling and an enthusiastic audience.

On Nov. 30, Africana studies 214, a class on hip-hop, gave a concert at the Undergrounds Caf√É.√© in the Old University Union basement. Along with giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills, this event was also the students’ final project. The performance was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., but technical difficulties caused a 45-minute delay.

Hip-hop is a four-credit class which, according to the course’s listing, “focuses on the oral communication, public presentation and public performance modes of this urban expressive culture, including rhyme composition, rap, spoken word poetry, free-styling, singing and comedy routines.” This is the fourth year it has been offered.

The class was divided into six groups, all of which gave separate performances. The six groups were R.I.G., In Da Script, A billion, Evolution, Allota Pressure and the Four Fives. Their performances included original rap music and choreographed dances, and individual members were called to the stage to engage in freestyle battles.

Common themes in the music included an appreciation of members’ diverse backgrounds, along with the usual hip-hop bravado and name-calling. But despite some similarities, the performances were interesting and varied.

The group Evolution wore matching costumes and built their music around the theme of “evolutionary soldiers” — people fighting for tolerance and equality. Another group, the Four Fives, used a video to enhance their performance, although problems with the sound system limited the effectiveness.

Members of the class showed varying levels of ability, but most seemed to be enjoying themselves. “It was a great experience,” stated Bryan Steinhauer, a junior accounting major who was a member of the group In Da Script. “It exposes you to hip-hop culture, and no matter how much experience you have with hip-hop it allows you to expand your skills.”

The professor, Brillian Muhonja, praised her students work: “Some of them used to be afraid to raise their hand in class; to watch them go through this transformation and see them perform like this tonight is very fulfilling.” She also said that the class is a great bonding experience, adding, “The best part for me is that we become like a family.”

The Undergrounds was packed at the beginning of the concert, and audience members seemed to appreciate the music, but as the night went on the room slowly emptied. Those who remained for the entire performance, however, gave it a great review. “They had a lot of confidence on stage, and the dynamics between the group members were great,” said Shivani Jhalani, a junior who was in the audience.