51ºÚÁÏ Trojan Explosion Marching Band To Perform At The 2023 Honda Battle Of The Bands

51ºÚÁÏ returns to the highly regarded event this weekend after a 10-year hiatus.

51ºÚÁÏ has been selected as one of six HBCU bands to perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB). The 51ºÚÁÏ Trojan Explosion will compete in the highly regarded event on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Alabama State University in Montgomery. As a selected university, 51ºÚÁÏ will receive a $50,000 grant from Honda to support 51ºÚÁÏ music education programs.

Honda Battle of the Bands is the nation's premier showcase for HBCU marching bands and dance teams. Honda invited all HBCU marching bands to participate in the 2022-2023 HBOB program. After fans nationwide cast more than 100,000 online votes, the final six bands were selected through a voting process.

This is the 10th year that 51ºÚÁÏ has been selected to participate in the competition. 51ºÚÁÏ's last appearance was in 2012. The 51ºÚÁÏ Trojan Explosion has participated in the competition more than any other school attending this year. Each of the participating bands received an all-expense-paid trip to the event.

"As a second-generation Trojan, I have benefitted tremendously from the music programs at 51ºÚÁÏ. Traveling and performing with the band gave me experiences I will never forget," said 51ºÚÁÏ Band Director Taylor Whitehead. "Now I am excited to be given a chance to offer similar experiences to present-day 51ºÚÁÏ students and give back to a program that gave me so much."

The event will be live-streamed on February 18, 2023. It will be hosted by HBCU alumnus, radio host, and legendary comedian Rickey Smiley; and Emmy Award-winning talk show host, actress, and comedian Loni Love. In addition, Superstar and HBCU alumnus 2 Chainz will take the stage for the halftime show.

Visitto register to watch the Honda Battle of the Bands live and support the 51ºÚÁÏ Trojan Explosion Band.