Two purposes were served at last night’s open mic night at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

Sam “Sam-I-Am” Simmons said the event was for all NIU students to have a creative outlet. The event also was an album release party. The album, “NIU Talent,” features several musical selections from various NIU students.

The open mic, which was promoted by student group H-Click, featured several acts ranging from dancers to rappers.

Will Heriford, a senior sociology major, performed at the open mic. He said the event was a means for students to be real.

“It’s a good outlet for getting emotion out that you wouldn’t normally be able to let out,” he said.

Many students came out to support the talent. Junior history major Matthew Akins said he came to be exposed to hip-hop. Akins said he also came to celebrate the release of the album.

“I heard about the hip-hop culture setting and decided to check it out,” he said.

Junior OMIS major Elliot Martin, better known as “Elliot Ness,” performed at the open mic. Martin also is featured on the “NIU Talent” album. Martin said he chose to be featured on the album because of his love for music.

“I’ve been doing this [rapping] for so many years,” Martin said. “I like to be involved with anything that has to do with music.”

Simmons, one of many individuals behind “NIU Talent,” said the album was a long-overdue project. He and senior communication major Dennis Thompson came together to plan the album. Simmons said the album was completed in two weeks in Thompson’s dorm room at Douglas Hall and recorded digitally with sophisticated equipment. The album is proof that there is talent at NIU, he said.

Simmons said he hopes to make the album into a series of volumes, at least three to five albums each semester. Simmons said all students are welcome to be on the album.

Simmons said he hopes to make the next albums more diverse.

“There are so many people of different cultures with musical talent,” he said.

Senior marketing major Demond Walker said the album definitely is worth buying. He said he hopes to be featured on the next volume.

“It’s an artistic representation of what Northern has to offer,” he said.