Georgia Dome gets hit by the Sonic Boom of the South

William Kelly
Photographer/Student Designer

On Jan. 24, 2015, the top eight most prestigious, dome rattling, shoe stomping marching bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) gave their all at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB).

Held in Atlanta, Ga. at the Georgia Dome, the Sonic Boom and other bands joined artists Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, with the mass combination band taking the field with more than 60,000 fans and supporters cheering them on.

Many students from Jackson State University traveled to this event in support of the one and only Sonic Boom of the South.

“I had the opportunity to attend the HBOB because I performed representing MADDRAMA at the HBCU Recruitment Fair and the experience was amazing. Seeing thousands of people from different universities come together for the sake of beautiful sounds was awesome,” said Bre Hunter, a freshman theatre major from Kansas City, Mo.

The Honda Battle of the Bands was created to celebrate, support and recognize the excellence of Black college marching bands and the unique academic experience offered by HBCUs.  Honda annually awards more than $200,000 in grants to participating marching bands during the program period.

Surprise guest Big K.R.I.T., a rapper and Mississippi native, joined the Boom in a performance that wowed the crowd.

Don Jones, a freshman accounting major from New Orleans, La. and member of the Boom, loved every second on the field.

“I would describe my experience at Honda as an undeniably remarkable experience for me. Band members benefit from the event because you get the chance to encounter band members from all over while exchanging friendly competition,” said Jones. “The hype about Honda is getting your top tier; the most-voted bands show their drill execution but also the performance and musical side.”

According the prnewswire.com, this year’s theme, “March On,” served as a reminder to students and fans that life on and off the field is a journey, and no matter the challenge, the dream or what may lie ahead, learning never stops as long as you commit to “March On.”