HBCU Band Performances That We Will Never Forget
Homecoming season is officially here, and you already know the bands are about to show OUT. For as long as we can remember, HBCU marching bands have been a vital part of Black college culture, turning football fields into stages for musical excellence, school pride, and some serious showmanship.
From Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M to North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman, these bands know how to put on a performance that’ll have you dancing before you even realize it. So, as HBCUs all across the country gear up for another homecoming season, we’re looking back at some of the best marching band performances that remind us why everybody wants a front-row seat! Keep reading and be ready to be seriously impressed!
Southern University- Michael Jackson’s Greatest Hits
Doing one Michael Jackson song would’ve been fine enough, if we’re being totally honest. But for Southern to do a medley and to do it this flawlessly? 10s across the board!
Related: The Ultimate HBCU Homecoming Guide
Jackson State University- “Sticky” by Tyler the Creator
We knew when Tyler the Creator dropped “Sticky” in 2024 that it was going to be one of those songs that bands couldn’t wait to redo. And that’s exactly what we got thanks to Jackson State’s phenomenal arrangement!
Prairie View A&M University- “‘Cause I Love You”- Lenny Williams
@kbthabandhead PVAMU “Marching Storm”
performing “Cause I Love You” at the 2026 State Fair Classic
#swac #hbcu #pvamu #hbcubands #statefairoftexas
It’s one thing to hear a good throwback song on the radio randomly. But it’s a whole other thing to hear PVAMU do its rendition with all the amazing horns and drums! We know we weren’t the only ones singing along at the top of our lungs!
Bethune-Cookman University- “Rock Steady” by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin probably never imagined some of her hit songs would make it into marching band territory, but Bethune-Cookman easily proved why songs from her catalogue made for a good choice!
Clark Atlanta University & Jill Scott
Clark Atlanta University teaming up with Jill Scott feels like something straight out of one of our favorite Black sitcoms! It’s such a cool moment for the culture; we can’t get enough!
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) at 2025 Honda Battle of the Bands
Author’s note: Because I’m an Arkansas native, I couldn’t help but make sure the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) made its way on this list. And this performance is a good example of why they deserve to be here—do you see the standing ovation at the end?? Yeah, they’re not ones to be played with.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) Marching 100 Dolly Parton Tribute
This Dolly Parton tribute from the FAMU Marching 100 was so sweet, so timely, and just so well done. When they got in formation to spell her name, we lost it! What an honor.
Clark Atlanta University- “Neck” by Cameo
Are you really a top-tier HBCU band if you don’t do “Neck” by Cameo justice? We think not. But CAU didn’t have to worry about that because they did what needed to be done.
Texas Southern University- “Drank In My Cup” by Kirko Bangz
Millennials may recognize this 2012 hit from Kirko Bangz immediately because it was all over “106 & Park’s” countdown at the time. This rendition arguably deserves for him to get back in the studio and make another recording because it was TOO LIT.
Bethune-Cookman University Homecoming 2026
We did say it was homecoming season, right? So it was only right that they showed up and showed out last month when it was their time. From songs by Rick Ross and Bruno Mars to Johnny Gill—this whole thing is a good time from start to finish.
Jackson State University Disneyland Performance 2025
Disneyland didn’t know what hit them when Jackson State University popped out and gave them a true show. We already knew, with them starting off with Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much,” that they were going to kill this entire set–and that’s exactly what they did.
Southern University- “Still Fly” by Big Tymers
“Still Fly” is already one of those classic hip-hop hits that gets people’s heads nodding. So seeing Southern take it and jazz it up in this manner just took the song from 100 to 1,000.
Alabama State University (ASU)- “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X
Say what you want about Lil Nas X and “Old Town Road”—the song was an undeniable success when it hit the airwaves. And that’s why people got turned up hearing Alabama State University do their big one with it!
