CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, "Singing along" incorrectly states that Cheylaine Murchison, a junior who opened for musical act, Musiq Soulchild, sang "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. Murchison actually performed "Killing Me Softly" by The Fugees. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the errors. In addition to two backup vocalists, Musiq Soulchild had the help of a near-capacity Memorial Hall crowd that sang with him in unison throughout his show Friday. The three-time Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist was presented by the Carolina Union Activities Board. After his band played an introduction, Musiq Soulchild emerged to the sound of nearly 1,400 cheering fans. Singing favorites from his 2002 album, Juslisen, and 2003's Soulstar, Musiq Soulchild kept the crowd's energy level high throughout the night. "If you do know the words, please feel free to sing along," he requested several times. The audience responded - swaying back and forth to the smooth R&B sound. Jessica Booker, a freshman who attended the show with several friends, said Musiq Soulchild's lyrics are insightful and atypical of R&B. "She knew all the words - every one of them - before (Musiq Soulchild) could even sing them," said Jeffery Collins, who attended the event with Booker. Memorial Hall reached its loudest point when Musiq Soulchild began to sing "Teach Me," the singer's most recent hit from his 2007 album, Luvanmusiq. Although some people had been sitting, nearly the entire crowd jumped to its feet as the song began. Observing the audience's enthusiasm, Musiq Soulchild grinned. "The atmosphere that (the performance) created was the most enjoyable part," Booker said. She said she and her friends were dancing and "vibing" throughout the evening. Musiq Soulchild accompanied the audience's rendition of the song's chorus - "Show me the way to surrender my heart" - by displaying his vocal range through high-pitched solos. At one point the vocalist motioned for the band to stop playing while the audience continued to sing a cappella. Musiq Soulchild's act was coupled with performances from the student group Rare Formula and junior Cheylaine Murchison. Murchison sang several covers including Alicia Keys' "Fallin'," while Rare Formula presented several short, original compositions. But much of the crowd did not arrive until the opening acts' performances were finished. "It's difficult to get up there and be an amateur act," Booker said, adding that the equipment problems Rare Formula experienced brought down its performance. Students paid $12 to attend the event, a price many said they felt was more than reasonable. Booker said performances by Grammy-recognized artists are worth more than the price of a ticket. Toward the end of his set, Musiq Soulchild ran back and forth on the lower platform of the Memorial Hall stage, hugging and shaking hands with members of the audience before waving good night. "It reminded me of what a great lyricist he is," Booker said. "He's a great performer." Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
