SU Student Mark Samuel Set the Tone for Juice Jam 2023
Article By Maria E. Xa, University Union Productions Board | Photo by Leigh Vo.
The world of house music has gained a large audience in recent years with the rising fame of DJs like John Summit, Fred again.. and Avicii. House music is characterized by its repetitive beat, creating a perfect atmosphere for dancing or background music.
This year, Juice Jam included a DJ set as the opening number. The DJ was none other than Syracuse University student Mark Samuel.
Samuel started the set with the traditional house music beats and gathered a crowd around the stage despite the lousy weather. While students browsed the merchandise stands and enjoyed the inflatables and food, they had Samuel’s set in the background to excite them for the rest of the day. Having a DJ as the opening set the tone for the rest of Juice Jam and created a positive atmosphere for students to enjoy the day. His stage presence created a sense of community between the students and the artists.
Samuel’s method is unique because he has prepared multiple playlists and chooses the songs that fit the best. This method ensures that his music matches the crowd's energy or brings some energy through music if needed. Throughout his set, it was clear that his style and energy were the perfect match for Juice Jam. Samuel states that his DJ style is “like a mix of sad and happy simultaneously. I try to emulate Fred Again and KAYTRANADA mostly, and they do this sad, euphoric sound that I really try to find.” Many students are familiar with Fred again.. and KAYTRANADA, so drawing inspiration from them made students feel like they were listening to their favorite music.
Samuel is a Syracuse University student involved in various organizations. When asked what it felt like to be a student performing in front of other students, he said, “It’s kind of crazy. I was here two years ago as a freshman watching Jack Harlow perform, and now I’m on the same stage.” Having a student DJ perform at Juice Jam, one of the semester's most popular university events, showcasing the student community's talent.
Samuel’s set was the perfect start to Juice Jam, creating the perfect vibe for the start of the day and setting the tone for the other artists’ performances. Seeing a familiar face on the stage added a unique element for students watching their classmates perform. Samuel’s unique style during his opening set created an exciting and lively atmosphere throughout Juice Jam.
