Ian Malone
maloneia@grinnell.edu
A new show on KDIC this semester has taken a very unique and downright whimsical approach to a very important issue. “EnviRapMental” hosted by Julia Schafer and Jane Jordan, both ’18. Schafer and Jordan are known behind the mic as DJ Sad Dad and DJ Beefalo, respectively, and use their show to discuss pressing environmental topics in the form of a freestyle rap.
“[Jordan] and I were really interested in getting the campus more involved in environmental issues, especially ones that are immediately related to us here in Iowa as an agricultural state. We wanted to find some kind of forum where we could have fun talking about this. Then, someone told us that anyone can apply for a KDIC show,” Schafer said.
The co-hosts then found a way to combine their interests in the environment with freestyle rapping and poetry, and, as a result, EnviRapMental was born. The hosts of the show believe that they bring something markedly different to KDIC’s already wide breadth of offerings. While many of the station’s shows are music-focused, EnviRapMental is more concerned with the conversations to be had regarding environmental issues.
“I’d describe the show as more tangentially focused on music. While we do care about what we play, most of the time we’ll just go on Spotify and look up [a given environmental topic]. I think that if more people listened to us, they would be hearing about legitimate environmental issues,” Schafer said.
The show also features guest stars, who, in the nature of EnviRapMental are given DJ names in a very spur-of-the-moment fashion.
“One of our recurring guests is DJ Cute Weasel, [Michael Kamp ’18] and that’s the first name he thought of, so that’s his name forever,” Schafer said. “Guests don’t have to speak or rap all that much if they don’t want to … although it is encouraged! They come on and talk about their opinion, or ask questions to spark insightful conversation.”
While Schafer and Jordan’s show has a very relaxed atmosphere they have very sincere hopes of promoting environmental activism on campus.
“I think a lot of people shy away from doing certain types of activism. … I think [the show] tells people how they can do a lot of small things to help,” Schafer said.
Some previous topics of EnviRapMental shows have included water conservation, climate change or, a host’s personal favorite, vanishing honeybee populations.
“We got creative with the songs we chose, we had a guest star on who talked and even rapped a bit. I think it was appropriate because of all the small things that people can do to help bees, such as … buying local foods,” Schafer said.
In the vast list of KDIC offerings, EnviRapMental has found its niche with a very fun atmosphere, interesting concept and important message to share. EnviRapMental airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. on 88.5 and through KDIC’s web stream.
