The Alpha Phi Alpha Pharaoh Phest will bring some urban flavor to the Ames community with the local R&B sensation Truth, Houston’s #1 amateur comedian, Tony King, and rap artists from Midwest Records.

“We’ve never had anything like this before,” said Aisha Martin, senior in microbiology. “This is a great opportunity for up-and-coming talent to promote themselves.”

R&B act Truth, formerly known as Mission, is going through a rebirth since the quartet has become a duet after two of its members graduated, leaving Eric Ashby, sophomore in performing arts and Darryle “Bo” Bohanna, junior in performing arts, to make a new name for themselves.

“We want to show people the new Eric and Bo,” Ashby said. “This is new for us and the Iowa State community.”

Bradford Johnson, financial secretary of Alpha Phi Alpha, said the performers are helping them out as well by performing in their show.

“They are helping us commemorate our founders and we’re giving them some exposure,” Johnson said.

Truth will perform 11 songs, some it wrote, titled “No More Tears,” “Your Night” and “It’s Time,” as well as cover songs by Usher and Case.

The two say they are not nervous about the concert because they’re used to performing in front of large audiences.

“We’ve opened up for Mobb Deep and Twista, performed at the E2 Club in Chicago, sang in church and at Iowa State’s Kawanza celebrations,” Bohanna said. “Plus we’ve been in numerous Star Search showcases.”

But this will be their first debut as a two-person group.

“We’ve rose to the occasion,” Bohanna said.

Truth’s new CD will be finished by January 2002.

Bohanna said he idolizes artists like Luther Vandross and Brian McKnight for their musical talent, and Ginuwine and Usher for their dance performances, but, above all, Ashby is his true inspiration.

Overall the duet said it just wants everybody to come out and enjoy Truth.

But the community will also have the opportunity to enjoy rap performances and some comic relief.

The rap performance will come from Midwest Records, a label started by Justin Stearns, freshman in pre-business from St. Louis.

“We’ll perform at the party after the concert to get people live and on their feet,” Stearns said.

“We want people to be active.”

Stearns said that Pharaoh Phest will show that ISU students have talent and have put in a lot of hard work for this show.

Tony King, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, will add some excitement to the event with his stand-up comedy act.

“Tony is a an all-around silly guy,” Johnson said. “He has the ability to make anybody laugh in any situation.”

Johnson said they are looking for a packed house.

“We all put a lot of hard work into this stuff,” Stearns said.

Pharaoh Phest will be at 8 p.m. today in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. It will be hosted by KURE DJs Darryl Frierson and Jerone Jones.

Admission is $7 for both the party and the concert and $5 for the party only.