The HBCU Battle of the Bands season has started!

One of the greatest traditions at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is the viewing of the marching bands. This year, the festivities kicked off in Houston with a spectacular show at NRG Stadium, where an estimated 40,000 spectators were present. Participating marching bands included those from Southern University, Florida A&M University, Tennessee State University, Langston University, Norfolk State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Virginia State University, and Texas Southern University.

The show was further enhanced by the presence of esteemed hip-hop performers, including Harlem's Doug E. Fresh, Atlanta's Big Boi, Louisiana's Choppa, Dallas-bred Houston DJ Mr. Rogers, and Houston's Slim Thug, Lil Keke, and Z-RO. Doug E. Fresh, a long-time supporter of HBCUs, was vocal about his enthusiasm for the event. He told the media, “There’s nothing better than supporting HBCUs. That’s what we’re supposed to do. So everybody, do what you know you’re supposed to do. Support yourself.”

The event title sponsor, PepsiCo, was generous in distributing funds to the participating schools. They presented checks of $200,000 and $120,000; each school’s marching band was given $5,000. PepsiCo was delighted to share that “Fans have been having a great time. We’re able to contribute over $45,000 per band, a total of $360,000 this year. So we’re super excited about what we’ve been able to do to support our HBCUs.”

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop, which began in Houston, continued in Pennsylvania with two other HBCU marching bands making their season debut at Harrisburg High School. Cheyney University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and Wilberforce University of Ohio were the top three oldest HBCUs in the country, with Cheyney the first to have been established.

In addition, Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South took the field for the school's football season opener against South Carolina State University's Marching 101. Despite the heat, the Sonic Boom of the South announced they would take the field, even though they would not be performing in full gear.

With the start of band season, we look forward to seeing the many HBCUs showcasing their talented musicians at upcoming games throughout the season.

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