When they make their stage in front of the University Store, the attention of everyone in the area is immediately grabbed as they spit out the very work that came from their artistic minds.

Random Acts of Poetry, or RAP for short, is a student organization for any poet, song writer, rapper, musician, producer, painter etc., looking to bond and grow with fellow artists.

“We give you your own area to enjoy yourself and express your own creativity,” Stanley Thomas, senior mechanical engineer and active member of RAP, said.

RAP welcomes anyone who may need an outlet, wants to share thoughts or learn from others with the comfort of knowing that you are in a safe and judgmental-free environment.

When describing his first impression of the group, Thomas thought that there was no way his work could be as good. Now for Thomas, he himself is who he was seeing at first. He has grown as a writer and as a person, and that is just how it goes for anyone who joins.

“It allows me to let out my inner demons and release my burdens,” Thomas said, “it’s not just a hobby, its life.”

For Cortney Johnson, a junior biology major, the organization allows her to say the things she wants to in a unique way.

“Paper is my therapy session,” Johnson said. “Once I got into RAP I was just writing poems and now I’m full on making music.”

Like their name suggests, they have random bookstore poetry cyphers out front of the University Store at least two Fridays a month. They have also engaged in random bus cyphers and conduct meetings every Monday that anyone interested is welcome to join. One of their events is Conscious Relief, when they all work together to produce music and other art while building community and just enjoying each other’s company.

Their biggest event of the year is the Red Wall Lounge. Named after the red walls in Campus Crossing where the first meetings the group ever had were held, this showcase allows people to come and show off their best pieces of work. It will be held in the Williams Center later in National Poetry Month, on April 21.

“Part of being creative is that fear of rejection, but we all understand that,” Oso Morrise, junior mechanical engineering major, said. They want people to join them and share whatever talent you have with confidence. Morrise said, “Everybody wants to be unique, but the most unique thing you’ll ever be is yourself.”