By Okla Jones ·Updated March 3, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

As Lionsgate prepares for the April 24 domestic release of Michael, three of the nation’s most storied HBCU marching bands are paying tribute in a way only they can. Florida A&M University’s The Marching 100, Jackson State University’s The Sonic Boom of the South, and Southern University’s The Human Jukebox have each delivered original performances of “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” as part of the MICHAEL CELEBRATES: Legacy, Artistry, Culture campaign.

Timed to Black History Month, the initiative underscored the long-standing bond between HBCU band culture and Michael Jackson’s catalog. Across three days, each band unveiled its own arrangement on social media in collaboration with the film’s platforms. The performances are now streaming on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook.

Florida A&M University

At FAMU, Dr. Shelby R. Chipman said the opportunity aligned with the program’s tradition of pageantry and national visibility. “The Florida A&M University Marching 100 has a history for being a giant amongst marching bands and band pageantry, entertaining audiences,” he said. With high-profile appearances in recent years, the band approached the Jackson tribute with the same level of preparation. “When we got the call, we knew that we wanted to do something special.”

For Chipman, honoring the “King of Pop” meant capturing the entertainer’s signature movement and showmanship. The band incorporated MJ-themed field formations to deliver what he described as the program’s trademark “wow factor.” Central to the presentation was Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, FAMU’s head drum major and the first woman to hold the title in the band’s history. Chipman praised her leadership and presence.

“She is an amazing person, and very poised,” he said. Chipman tapped Oloyede to help craft choreography that nodded to Jackson’sdecoding=”async” src=”https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/03/EG109844_ghqAQWZo-scaled.jpg” alt=”3 Iconic HBCU Marching Bands Amplify Michael Jackson’s Legacy With Show-Stopping Performances” width=”400″ height=”266″ />BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 05: Southern University Marching Band performs at A.W. Mumford Stadium on February 05, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Lionsgate)

Dr. Kendric Taylor, Southern University’s Director of Bands, emphasized Jackson’s reach across communities. “His impact was nothing shorter than amazing. And it still lives on today,” Taylor said. For Southern’s Human Jukebox, the goal was clear. “I wanted us to be Southern. I wanted us to be unique. I wanted us to be who we are.” Known for intricate drills and fluid formations, the band leaned into its traditional >Jackson State, Dr. Roderick Little framed the tribute as both homage and showcase. “Michael Jackson’s music has shaped generations and holds a significant place in American culture,” he said. For the Sonic Boom of the South, precision and discipline guided the approach. “We approached it with respect for the original and with confidence in our own identity,” Little noted. “It was about representation, not replication.”

Lionsgate’s “Michael” Movie At Jackson State University

Little described HBCU bands as “custodians of performance culture,” adding that reinterpretation keeps influential works in circulation. “When we perform songs that have influenced the world, we expose them to new audiences and keep that artistic legacy moving forward,” he said.

As excitement builds for Michael, the campaign reflects how deeply Jackson’s influence runs through HBCU culture and the students who carry that sound forward. “Our hope is that viewers see how deeply these young artists connect to the music,” Little said. “Also, how that connection reflects the history and excellence of HBCU culture.”

TOPICS:  Florida A&M University Jackson State University Southern University

The post 3 Iconic HBCU Marching Bands Amplify Michael Jackson’s Legacy With Show-Stopping Performances appeared first on Essence.

Author: Okla Jones

Read the original article on Essence.