The Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) 2025 kicked off Black History Month by making history this weekend with its first-ever West Coast appearance, bringing the spectacular pageantry and precision of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands to California's SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for a groundbreaking cultural showcase that drew nearly 60,000 attendees.
The landmark February event, celebrating its 19th year as the nation's premier HBCU marching band showcase, drew tens of thousands of spectators to witness performances that highlight the rich traditions and cultural significance of these storied institutions.
Six Elite HBCU Bands Deliver Unforgettable Performances
Under the theme “Driving the Legacy of HBCUs,” the 2025 invitational showcase featured dynamic performances from six prestigious HBCU marching bands:
- Alabama A&M University's Marching Maroon & White Band demonstrated their signature blend of traditional marching precision with contemporary hip-hop influences, featuring innovative formations that transformed into animated figures across the field.
- Alabama State University's Mighty Marching Hornets showcased their renowned Honeybeez dance team, whose intricate choreography celebrating body positivity brought the crowd to its feet. The band's brass section executed complex stop-time arrangements that highlighted their exceptional breath control and musical versatility.
- Hampton University's The Marching Force delivered a technically challenging show featuring rapid-fire tempo changes and a stunning sequence where the entire band rotated in concentric circles while maintaining perfect spacing—a formation that took over 200 hours of practice to perfect.
- North Carolina A&T State University's The Blue and Gold Marching Machine lived up to their reputation for innovation with a show incorporating elements of spoken word and visual storytelling, weaving historical HBCU references throughout their performance while executing precise 8-to-5 marching techniques.
- Southern University's Human Jukebox, introduced by Cedric The Entertainer, began their performance with a musical tribute to Stevie Wonder before transitioning into a medley that showcased their famous horn line's ability to hit and sustain notes that brought roars from the crowd. Their drumline's cadence featured syncopated rhythms that have influenced contemporary music production.
- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff's Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South made a spectacular HBOB debut with a thematically cohesive show that began with a medley of Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross's “If This World Were Mine” transitioning into SZA and Kendrick Lamar's “Luther,” followed by a lively arrangement of the 2025 Grammy Song Of The Year “Not Like Us.” Their performance featured innovative use of field space with diagonal formations rarely seen in traditional marching.
Each band delivered precision-driven field shows, combining traditional marching techniques with contemporary music arrangements, high-stepping choreography, and crowd-engaging performances that have become hallmarks of HBCU band culture.
Star Power: Nick Cannon Hosts, GloRilla Delivers Explosive Performance
Multi-hyphenate entertainer and entrepreneur Nick Cannon and HBCU graduate served as host for the inaugural West Coast showcase, bringing his signature energy and personal connection to the event. He recalled his role in the portrayal of Devon Miles in the 2002 film “Drumline,” which introduced many to the rich traditions of HBCU band culture. Actor Orlando Jones, who played the no-nonsense Dr. Lee in the classic film, made a special appearance, introducing Cannon with the assistance of members from participating drumlines.
During the pre-event press conference, Cannon noted the similarities between the film and the actual HBCU band experience while admitting he “could never do it today” given the intense physical demands and technical skill required. He expressed excitement about the evolution of marching band performances over the years since the film's release.
“We bring our entire culture. When you go to a PWI or something, when it's time for the marching band, you appreciate their precision, and their dedication and discipline, but when an HBCU marching band plays, you feel the spirit…You hear music that you grew up with. You see the spirituality. You hear the resistance. You feel the pain. You feel the emotion of what it takes to be the best of the best at your craft.”
Cannon emphasized the significance of these performances in HBCU culture, adding, “Half time is game time” – a reference to how marching band performances often overshadow the sporting events they accompany. He praised the rich cultural tradition on display and how each performance encapsulates the pain and resilience required to achieve excellence in this demanding art form.
When asked what he hoped people would take away from the event, Cannon emphasized the importance of community building. “I want people to take away a sense of community from this event, so we can heal together.” His words underscored the power of cultural celebrations like HBOB to foster connection and collective healing in an often divided society.
“Three things bring people together today: food, music, and sports—and this event does just that,” Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Battle of the Bands project lead at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. remarked, highlighting how the Honda Battle of the Bands serves as a powerful cultural gathering that unites communities through shared celebration and appreciation of HBCU excellence.
GRAMMY-nominated GloRilla made an appearance at the press conference prior to her performance, sharing that she felt “blessed” to be part of the event and professed her admiration for the HBCU bands. Looking to the future, she revealed her desire to collaborate musically with an HBCU band, specifically mentioning her songs “Touch Down” and “Break Me,” which she hopes to reimagine with the unique energy and arrangements that HBCU bands are known for upon release.
Throughout the event, DJ R-Tistic, a Florida A&M graduate based in Los Angeles, kept the crowd energized with a blend of old and new-school Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel, and Soul. The audio-visual team highlighted attendees on the big screen, showcasing excited children performing dance routines, cheerful HBCU graduates representing their alma maters, and members of Divine 9 Greek fraternities and sororities displaying their paraphernalia, chants, and strolls.
GloRilla capped the showcase with an electrifying performance from the 50-yard line on an elevated platform. The Memphis rapper, joined by her dancers and surrounded by elated members from each represented band, shared a symbiotic energy with the audience, who made sure to scream “Yeah Glo!” in unison as she performed her fan-favorite tracks, bringing the stadium crowd to its feet.
Beyond Entertainment: Honda's Investment in HBCU Education
The Battle of the Bands represents more than spectacular entertainment—it demonstrates Honda's longstanding commitment to supporting HBCUs and their students. Each participating school received a $50,000 grant to enhance music education and career development programs.
This investment builds on Honda's more than 35-year history of HBCU support, including a recently announced $500,000 grant to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund dedicated to scholarships for HBCU student-musicians nationwide.
The event was preceded by the Black College Expo™, a college and career fair where over 200 institutions, including numerous HBCUs, conducted on-site interviews and offered acceptances and scholarships totaling more than $10 million.
Honda will continue its commitment to HBCU students this spring through the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America's premier academic competition for HBCU students, with the 2025 National Championship Tournament scheduled for April.
Over the past 35 years, Honda's HBCU initiatives have impacted more than 300,000 students and provided over $14 million in grants toward education programs and facilities improvements.
For more information or to watch highlights from the 2025 Honda Battle of the Bands, visit www.hondabattleofthebands.com.
