Smokie Norful headlines JSU Homecoming Gospel Concert

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Mark Braboy
News Editor

Students, alumni and community supporters of Jackson State University enjoyed an evening of gospel and inspirational music on Monday, Oct. 14th at the 2013 Homecoming Gospel Concert in the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center.

The powerful vocals of Grammy Award winning singer and Pastor, Smokie Norful and praise and worship melodies of JSU’s Interfaith Choir, Tougaloo College Choir, Hinds Community College Choir, and local gospel artist Jason Gibson and the Destiny Project, filled the air during the spirit-filled occasion.

According to Norful, a native of Muskogee, Okla. and alumnus of the University of Pine- Bluff, his style of music is urban inspirational, meaning that it reaches a wide variety of people with a message of empowerment, hope, love, and encouragement. Norful said that he chooses not to be pigeonholed within one section of music, but rather make music that can touch all walks of life.

The bright lights seemed to shine on Norful as if he was anointed by God himself as he opened with the song “Imperfect Me.” The song speaks of overcoming adversities no matter the circumstance.

Throughout his set, Norful declared that his music was for more than entertainment, but serve as messages of hope, encouragement, and empowerment. Radiating with his spiritual energy, his songs touched on topics such as overcoming poverty and maintaining faith in God.

Midway through his set, Norful brought out JSU’s Interfaith choir to perform a song with him.
Aja Swayne, a freshman mass communications major from St. Louis, Mo. and a member of Interfaith Choir who performed a solo at the concert, enjoyed the moment they shared with Pastor Norful.

“Performing alongside Pastor Norful was mind blowing! He made the experience very fun. Unlike other artists, he didn’t seem so stuck up. He wanted us to have as much fun as he was having and it was great,” said Swayne.

Those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the concert as they shared the warm and spiritual energy that Pastor Norful brought to Jackson State and took back something personal along with it.

Megan Moffett, a sophomore political science major from Dallas, Texas said, “I thought it was great. Smokie really took the time to make it inspirational as well as relatable. The music really brought in a feel of praise and it started off a great week of homecoming.”