The band from Alabama State University performs Feb. 1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood during the Honda Battle of the Bands. Six of the top bands in the country from historically Black colleges and universities performed.
Courtesy photo
By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
INGLEWOOD — The Honda Battle of the Bands, the nation’s premier showcase for historically Black college and university marching bands, kicked off Black History Month at SoFi Stadium Feb. 1.
“For the first time ever, this year’s Honda Battle of the Bands brought the incredible talent, passion and culture of HBCUs to the West Coast,” said Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Battle of the Bands project lead at American Honda Motor Co. “Honda is proud to celebrate these exceptional students and institutions, and we look forward to further driving the legacy of HBCUs through our ongoing support of the HBCU community.”
The event featured bands representing Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Hampton University, North Carolina A&T State University, Southern University and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
“It’s a beautiful thing what Honda is doing,” said Nick Cannon in a press conference ahead of the showcase.
Cannon served as a co-host of this year’s event alongide rapper GloRilla. Cannon took time to acknowledge those impacted by the recent wildfires that burned parts of Altadena and Los Angeles.
“We’re going to have a good time in spirit and celebrate the people that, you know, the first responders,” he said. “We’re going to continue to feel and emote for the people who have lost loved ones, their possessions, their homes, their businesses. And that’s what this (HBCU) culture has always done in times of hardship is come together and unify. So the fact that we can be a beacon in that setting, in the city, right now that probably matters the most, or needs it the most.”
The event was attended by local elected officials including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. and former state Sen. Steve Bradford.
Also on hand was Ced the Entertainer who lauded Southern University’s Human Jukebox as the “best band in the land.”
“Proud to have hosted the West Coast debut of the Honda Battle of the Bands and welcome the Black College Expo,” wrote SoFi Stadium on its social media account.
Brent Page, an alumnus of Southern University, brought his daughter to the event, which led to her committing to one of the schools onsite.
“My daughter is a freshman in high school and we brought her out to be able to see different the different Black colleges and she settled on attending Southern University which is a family tradition dating back to my father which is also where her mother and I met,” Page said. “Seeing the school’s band — the Human Jukebox — perform at the Battle of the Bands sealed the deal.”
The Black College Expo powered by the National College Resources Foundation hosted a college and career fair before the Battle of the Bands. More than 200 colleges and universities, including HBCUs, offered prospective students on-the-spot interviews, acceptances and scholarships totaling more than $10 million.
“For over three decades, Honda has supported the success and dreams of HBCU students through initiatives including Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, Honda Battle of the Bands, and scholarship programs with National Urban League and Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” Cockfield said. “Through our ‘Drive the Legacy’ initiative, Honda is building on our special relationship with HBCUs to support students in pursuing their educational and career goals.”
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
