The Union for Black Identity (UBI), in collaboration with Marian University’s Unity Center, hosted its second annual Verzuz Competition on Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. The event took place in Room 104 of the Norman Center, chosen for its spacious layout and projector, which was used to explain the competition’s format.
A Verzuz Competition is a virtual music battle where two groups compete to determine who has the best song choices. This year, Team Old School, made up of faculty and staff from various Marian departments, faced off against Team New School, represented by the UBI student board.
The event was hosted by Cassie Mitchell, a UBI member, and Angelica Smith, director of the Unity Center. They explained that the competition consisted of multiple rounds, each with
a unique prompt. For example, in the first round— “
A song you would hear playing on a Saturday morning”—both teams selected a song they believed best fit
the theme. After a portion of each song was played, the audience voted for the winner using a Poll Everywhere survey. Team Old School could select songs from 1984-2003, while Team New School had a range from 2004-2025.
Throughout the competition, both teams and the audience remained highly engaged, reacting enthusiastically to song choices and voting results. The atmosphere was energetic, with friendly competition fueling the excitement.
Beyond the fun, the Verzuz Competition carried deeper significance as part of Black History Month, which recognizes the contributions of African Americans in politics, social justice, and the arts. The teams showcased songs from influential Black artists across various genres.
One highlight of the night was the third-round prompt: “Best Black sitcom theme song.” Team Old School selected The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, while Team New School chose The Proud Family.
“This has become one of my favorite ways to kick off Black History Month,” Mitchell said. “It not only invites Black students on campus to celebrate their heritage, but it also allows others to participate in the fun.”
