First launched in 2003, Honda Battle of the Bands was established by the automotive and manufacturing giant to showcase the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) experience featuring the top school bands. Now entering its 19th year, Honda Battle of the Bands will be hosted for the first time on the West Coast with Nick Cannon hosting and a headlining performance from GloRilla.
Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) will take in early 2025 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Nick Cannon will bring his well-honed hosting chops to the event, which features six HBCU marching bands known to put on impassioned peformances on the field.
The featured bands:
Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon & White
Alabama State University – Mighty Marching Hornets
Hampton University – The Marching Force
North Carolina A&T State University – Blue and Gold Marching Machine
Southern University – Human Jukebox
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff – Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South
As mentioned above, Honda Battle of the Bands is much more than a spotlight of the top HBCU marching bands. Honda also awards over $205,000 in grants each year to the featured bands and helps coordinate a recruitment fair for students interested in attending an HBCU. HBOB is part of Honda’s larger “Drive The Legacy” initiative, which sees the company deepen its investment in HBCUs and awarding over $14 million in grants since 1989.
GloRilla, who dropped her acclaimed studio debut album Glorious in October, will close out the HBOB Invitational Showcase and has several smash hits to continue the liveliness presented by the bands.
“I can’t wait to turn up the energy at the 2025 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase with these dope HBCU marching bands,” said GloRilla. “This event is gonna be straight fire, showcasing the beauty and brilliance of Black culture.”
“We know GloRilla will bring to the Honda Battle of the Bands stage the kind of dynamic and entertaining performance our fans have come to expect from musical guests at the nation’s premier showcase for HBCU marching bands,” said Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Battle of the Bands project lead, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With the incredible band performances, Nick Cannon hosting and GloRilla as the grand finale, Honda Battle of the Bands 2025 will be a show for the ages.”
Tickets for HBOB 2025 are on sale now. The event takes place on Feb. 1, 2025, at SoFi Stadium. For tickets and more information, click here.
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Photo: Honda