Culture | November 9th, 2023

The Darty Effect

By: Ashton Johnson

Going out gives students a much–needed increase of endorphins after a long, hard week. A typical college party consists of hanging around friends, listening to good music, and dancing, but how different does the day feel when the fun night out turns into a day party?  

Day parties, or ‘’Darties,’’ tend to be more of a pregame event before the actual party begins once the sun goes down. However, there are many factors that separate a night party from a Darty.

 The Arrivals  

There are two types of Darty–goers in this world: the first person shows up close to when it started, and the second decides to come mid-way through so they can witness the different party atmosphere once people have shown up. 

It is an unspoken rule to show up to any party a little later than when it officially starts. Students like Jaelin Sistrunk, a second-year business administration student, do not arrive at a Darty until later because the longer someone waits, the more people are there and the better the party feels.

“I end up showing up later so I can go when the party has actually started,” Sistrunk said. “An hour later, that is when the party starts getting more people and more lit.”

Personal Interactions  

While the Darty starts to fill up, you’ll notice that people talk amongst themselves more than they would in the nighttime. Socializing and networking are some of the biggest components that add to the day-party experience, and walking around, seeing people you know and starting simple conversations are more effortless. 

Connecting with the peers around you helps the downtime of darty go by fast. This social concept does not typically occur in a night setting due to the louder music and greater number of people at the party. 

The Playlist  

Rap music is the genre that mostly gets played at parties, along with a small sprinkle of R&B. 

Chief Keef’s “Faneto,” “No Hands” by Waka Flocka, Roscoe Dash, and Wale, and “EA” by Young Nudy and 21 Savage are all staple songs that get played at least once at every college event.  

Songs and artists similar to these set the tone and keep the party going.

However, heavy rap or trap songs are usually played at night. On the special occasion that the party is during the day, the playlist consists of a more significant blend of R&B and softer rap songs.

Deejays tend to play some party classics here and there to survey the crowd’s vibe. 

Student deejay and fourth-year broadcast journalism student Queneetra Corley, professionally known as DJ Mooch, thinks the best time to play classic rap music is mid-party. 

“To me, that’s when people are still coming in, and the party is lit, but you haven’t missed your favorite song,” Corley said. 

With a good mix of rapping and singing, the party atmosphere increases with each hit song that gets played. Eventually, the sun goes down, and the songs that did not get much attention may get played again. By this time, the crowd is ready to rap, dance, and party harder than before. 

Lights On vs. Lights Off 

In clubs or night parties, people are more comfortable with themselves because they don’t have to think about someone being able to see their every move. People go out to let loose and have a good time, but it may be more difficult if someone worries about being judged or talked about while doing so. During the day, everyone can see what is going on. 

 “I don’t think it’ll ever have the same vibe being out where everyone can see each other vs. that closer space together.” Paris Goss, a frequent party-goer, said.

As the sunsets, the music, conversations, and amount of people dancing changes. The once-day party transforms into a fun and exciting night party within hours, right before our eyes.